THE National Trust says the active support of people in the Wellington area is needed for repairs to Wellington Monument which would last the next 60 years.

The project will also depend on securing funding of an estimated £4 million, says the charity, which has revealed it would like to completely repair and conserve the iconic structure.

That figure is subject to core samples of the foundations and the monument not revealing more problems which could considerably increase the cost and put the project at risk.

Helen Sharp, the National Trust’s project manager, said: “Whether the project goes ahead will be dependent on securing major funding and having active support from the local community.

“The challenge is going to be to raise the money – we are starting to talk to people and organisations who could make a very big difference to securing the money needed.”

The Trust has been undertaking detailed survey work on the monument for some time, particularly in the last 12 months. It says other options than a full repair would cost less in the short term but would not be a permanent solution and over the next decades would end up costing a lot more.

Ms Sharp added: “We plan to apply to the Heritage Lottery Fund for a large part of the funding needed and if we are successful with this, local people will have the chance to support the fundraising campaign to help raise the rest of the money that will be needed.

“This is a striking landmark and Wellington’s own memorial to the Duke of Wellington and his victory at the Battle of Waterloo. It is also a symbolic marker for many travellers on the M5, a landmark on their journey to or from home.

“The Trust recognises the importance of the monument and we’ve made real progress over the past year with finding a way to repair it. Our design team have put together all the information from the surveys, which included measuring and modelling the impact of wind given the exposed location, and we’re now working through the feasibility of several repair options.

“A full repair would be expected to last for up to 60 years with some regular low level maintenance.”

The project has the support of local MP Rebecca Pow who said: “I am delighted that the National Trust is moving the project forward thanks to its investment in detailed feasibility studies. It will be challenging and there are many hurdles still to overcome, not least securing the funding needed.

“The recent petition I presented to Parliament was signed by almost 2,000 people demonstrating the huge local interest in seeing this much-loved and iconic symbol restored.”