FRESH fears that the walls of an historic County Durham landmark may not survive the winter have been raised after plans for restoration work stalled again.

Campaigners hoping to repair the crumbling walls of the castle at Barnard Castle previously celebrated after talks deadlocked since 2009 re-started in March.

The three parties involved, Raby Estates, Durham County Council and English Heritage, met to look for ways forward to cover the £100,000 urgent repairs needed on the 12th-century landmark which is now listed as “at risk”.

Local campaigner, Gary Marshall, heritage expert and Castle Walls Trust member, Caroline Hardie-Hammond and Graham Bell, of the North of England Civic Trust (NECT) also attended as well as Alexander Dickinson, of Bond Dickinson, who represented Lord Barnard and Raby Settled Estate Trustees.

However, following the death of Lord Barnard in April, campaigners say a delay while legal details of the estate are settled means it is likely that any work will not start this summer - with the walls having to endure another winter which last year caused three landslips.

Mrs Hardie-Hammond said: “The works are quite urgent so I’m hoping that the lawyers will be updating us about what has been happening so far and get his approval as well for where we got to with Lord Barnard as soon as possible.

“Unfortunately it’s July and I don’t see anything happening before winter which means putting it off until at least February but I’m concerned about that because all it needs it some torrential rain and it will go.”

She added: “The question is whether the stretch of wall will survive and will somebody get killed or cars get damaged in the process – there’s a health and safety element there.”

A Historic England spokesperson said: “We are keen to see progress on the outer castle walls at Barnard Castle and are ready to talk to the legal owner about repairs, which would be eligible for Historic England funding.

“We are aware of local concern and as the government’s adviser on the historic environment; we will continue to provide advice on the safety and on-going management of this important protected ancient monument.”

Mr Dickinson said talks were still on-going and decisions were being made as fast as they could be.

“All the parties are still talking to each other and taking things forward as fast as we are able to,” he said.

Durham County Council did not wish to comment.