Cheshire West and Chester Council is undertaking site investigation work in the city centre involving the digging of trial pits. This is to confirm the location of services such as gas, electric, water and telecoms as well as ground conditions for necessary infrastructure works.
Work will take place from Monday 14 October to Sunday 24 November, between 6.30am and 7.30pm and will include weekends. It will be carried out in phases and will affect Castle Drive, Nun’s Road, Nicholas Street and St Martin’s Way. The Council apologises for the disruption to journeys during this time.
The highways teams are working very closely with the contractors to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum and traffic management will be in place. However, due to the location of these works, traffic congestion is inevitable especially at peak periods.
If travelling into the city centre in this period, it is advised to plan ahead and allow extra time. Please consider alternative routes or travel options such as the Park & Ride service or avoid peak times where possible.
The programme of works will be carried out as follows (weather permitting):
- Monday 14 to Wednesday 23 October
Work will begin on Castle Drive with a full road closure. Access to the Roodee Car Park for cars will be via Bridge Street. Coaches will be advised to use the Park & Ride sites. - Wednesday 23 to Monday 28 October
Work will move to Nun’s Road and Grosvenor Street (in front of the HQ building) involving a lane closure. Traffic management will be in place to direct vehicles and pedestrians. - Saturday 2 and 3 November
Works will be suspended for the fireworks display at Chester Racecourse. - Monday 4 to Sunday 24 November
Investigation works move to Nicholas Street and St Martins Way. Work will be in different locations, closing one work area before moving to the next. This will take out one lane of traffic in one direction at any time. Lane closures will move to opposite sides of the carriageway to accommodate the required investigation pits. Traffic management will be in place at all times. - During the works near Watergate Street there will be no right turn into Watergate Street, off St Martin’s Way.
Councillor Karen Shore, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Strategic Transport said: “The city is forward looking, and we are creating amazing places and high quality facilities for the people of Chester to enjoy such as Chester Northgate. New infrastructure is required to support this transformation. The site investigations will inform the most efficient methodology for the installation of a new drain.
“We’re doing all we can to keep Chester moving. I ask that you bear with us during this time and consider travelling outside of peak hours, changing your route or using public transport, such as the Park & Ride to help make your journey into the city smoother.”
More information about the works is available on the Council’s website.