A MUCH-NEEDED £80,000 grant to repair a stretch of Colchester’s Roman Wall has been won despite cuts in public sector funding.

English Heritage has promised to give £79,088 to restore the wall at Middleborough and Balkerne Way, as long as Colchester Council matches the funding.

The decision comes months after a council survey found more than £550,000 of repairs will be needed to keep a number of stretches of the wall up to scratch.

Paul Smith, councillor responsible for finances, said he expected the council’s cabinet to look favourably on an application to find funding for the repairs.

He said: “The cabinet is very keen to support this funding and to ensure we get the match funding. The final decision has not been taken yet.

“I know English Heritage grants have been severely cut due to the financial environment, so we’re very pleased Colchester’s bid was successful.

“It’s work that needs to be done.”

Snow and water often seeps into cracks before freezing and expanding, causing chunks of the wall to come off, he added.

Henry Spyvee, a councillor who set up the Friends of Colchester Roman Wall to help to preserve them, welcomed the news.

When he was Colchester’s Mayor last year, Mr Spyvee pressed English Heritage to look after all of the town’s heritage, including it’s near 2,000 year old walls.

He said: “I’m looking forward to that money being spent.”

Colchester Council is already carrying out repairs costing £40,000 on part of the wall running alongside Priory Street.