ESSENTIAL roof repairs to one of Northwich’s industrial landmarks could begin in the New Year, United Utilities has confirmed.

The Grade II listed Dock Road Pumping Station is currently owned by the water provider and was constructed in 1913.

This was to intercept sewage before entering the River Weaver and pump it up to the top of Castle Hill and onwards to the Wallerscote Works.

But after being in use for over 60 years, the station was decommissioned and converted into a monument open to the public.

Now however, Dock Road Pumping Station has been closed for over a year and is badly in need of repairs, especially to its roof.

Volunteers at the site, which is officially on the Northwich Heritage Trail as a landmark of the town’s industrial heritage, say they can get no direction from United Utilities as to what it is prepared to do about it.

One volunteer told the Guardian: “Having put so much effort into its continued running in the past and its popularity with the public, it needs to be urgently looked at.

“This is with a view to its reopening and the fixing of the main issues that are outstanding.

“Otherwise, this beautiful example of industrial architecture will be lost forever.”

United Utilities has now however said that it hopes renovation work at the station will begin in the new year.

A spokesperson for the company’s external affairs department said: “We have a construction project planned and are currently in the process of appointing a contractor to repair the roof.

“We can then progress to a start date in the New Year.”