Chester’s City Road could be shut for days due to collapsed hotel wall

Sep 16 2008 by Rebecca Edwards, Chester Chronicle

CHESTER’S City Road could be closed for up to two days as emergency services clear up debris from a collapsed wall.

An executive sports car was destroyed when a brick wall fell more than 30ft on to City Road this afternoon (Tuesday).

Debris from the gable wall of The Stafford Hotel, City Road, Chester, damaged the roof of neighbouring buildings and crushed the parked car at about 3.20pm.

Chester city centre was grid locked at rush hour after Cheshire Police closed City Road and Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service made the building safe.

Incident commander Chris Rodaway of Chester Fire Station’s white watch said: "Refurbishment has been taking place inside the property and a wall was removed.

“Because of the age of the building the gable collapsed. We were called ascertain the health and safety of the building, there is debris on the roof, path and on the vehicle.

“We have removed a lot of brickwork and will make the building safe and watertight.”

The Stafford Hotel will remain open but council workers have warned that City Road could remain closed for as long as two days while the clean up operation is on going.

Inspector Stewart Sheer of Cheshire Police said: “A wall collapsed onto a car on City Road leaving debris all over the road and pavement. Nobody has been injured as far as we know.”