Church gets OK to put up more railings - amid protests

Father Peter McEvitt at Holy Trinity Church, Shaw, where more security measures are to be taken

A GRADE II listed church that angered neighbours with plans for “unsightly” metal railings on two sides of its grounds has been allowed further security measures.

The Chronicle revealed in January how Holy Trinity Church, Shaw, was at the centre of controversy after a church judge ruled - despite objections from neighbours - that the railings could be erected to deter metal theft and stop local youths using the churchyard.

Now the same judge has ruled more railings can be added and, if necessary, they can be topped with an “anti-scaling” barrier to make it even harder for intruders to climb them. Neighbours say the railings are unsightly.

A number of residents of Durban Close said thy had never witnessed damage on that side of the church.

One of them, Graham Collins, has written to say the railings are a “total eyesore” and objected to any anti-scaling barrier, which would “only make things worse”.

Geoffrey Tattersall QC, Chancellor of the diocese of Manchester and a judge of the Church’s Consistory Court, said: “I am satisfied that what is proposed is necessary to diminish the prospect of further metal theft at the church and to improve the security of the vicarage. In my judgment, the best security will only be provided with the anti-scaling barrier. I am satisfied that it is appropriate to install it if found necessary.”

The church has been the subject of repeated metal thefts - mainly from the north side, which is hidden from view.






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