Tree-lined route planned for City Road in Chester

Sep 15 2008 by David Norbury, Chester Chronicle

TREES could appear on one of Chester's great historic boulevards.

The possibility has emerged on City Road, laid out by the city fathers in the mid 19th century as an impressive route from Chester Station to the city centre and as part of a new commercial and retail quarter linked to the prosperity created by the station.

It follows work already carried out on the road to improve the footways and the public realm.

Significant lengths of the footway have been replaced with mini flags which tie in with those used in improvements to the station forecourt.

This is said to have improved the visual aspect of the road and removed a number of potential trip hazards.

Area highways manager Colin Stredder is due to tell city highway chiefs at a Town Hall meeting on Thursday (September 18) that funding is available for additional footway improvements and the creation of four new build outs.

These offer the possibility of tree planting subject to ground conditions and the position of underground services.

Each build out would lead to the loss of two parking spaces according to Mr Stredder but he believes the trees could alter the character of the road.

City and county councillors are being asked to agree the work should be advertised for public consultation.