Work continues on collapsed section of Chester’s City Walls

Sep 4 2008 Chester Chronicle

REPAIR work is still ongoing at the collapsed section of Chester’s City Walls.

After part of the ancient monument collapsed in April this year, next to the Chester Grosvenor Hotel and Spa, locals and tourists have had to take a detour while repair work is carried out.

The city council has been closely monitoring the situation and police have increased their presence while the repair work is being carried out.

Jim Simpson, 71, and his wife Margaret Simpson, 60 had travelled from their home in Christ Church, New Zealand, to fully enjoy the sights of Chester.

Jim said: “I walked along the walls back in 1949 and I was hoping to relive my experience, only to find that they were partly closed and we were quite disappointed,”

Chester resident Phil Healey, 39, said: “It is August now and it is the height of the tourist season so it could be sending out a bad message to tourists because the work is not finished. After all, we have to compete with other cities around Britain as a tourist destination.”

The estimated repair costs will run into hundreds of thousands. Specialists have used laser equipment to locate bulges, leans or frailties as part of a complicated repair schedule.

The city council has also secured a grant from the European Union to go towards a £1.1m joint scheme called Portico.

This includes repairs, improved interpretation for visitors and access improvements.

Cllr Stuart Parker, city council executive member for development, said: “Portico represents another important milestone as we press ahead in our work to restore the walls.”