The centre of Keswick town centre was sealed off to the public due to concerns that the recently restored weather vane on the top of the Moot Hall could collapse into the street.
The steel structure – around 6ft tall and estimated to weigh about 150kg, or 23 stones, was buffeted by strong winds hitting the town.
Police taped off the area around the building and closed Market Place to the public with Cumbria police saying it was working with partner agencies to resolve the problem.
There were reports on social media that the structure has been “wobbling” in strong winds. It comes less than a year after £100,000 work to the building – including reconstructing the vane – were unveiled last December.
Crews from Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service were also at the scene.
Tony Lywood, chairman of the Battersby Hall Trust, which owns the building, said storm damage had caused the issue, and that the original contractors, Stobbarts Ltd of Workington, were notified of the problem, along with insurers.
Scaffolding was erected by Keswick Scaffolding Services and the weather vane was made safe and Market Place reopened.
