Chester Renaissance launches tree maintenance scheme near major city heritage sites

Mar 10 2010 Chester Chronicle

AS PART of a scheme to improve the area around St John’s Church and the area next to the Amphitheatre in Chester, a programme of tree maintenance is under way.

Managed by Chester Renaissance, the scheme is intended to help transform the area, highlighting the link between the Amphitheatre, Grosvenor Park, the River Dee and Queen’s Park.

Chester Renaissance chief executive Rita Waters says the area is a starting and finishing point for bus tours around the city , as well as a key vehicular route and it’s important visitors and motorists enjoy a great first impression of Chester.

She said: “Chester Renaissance was set up to drive momentum and bring added value to efforts to complete and accelerate the economic growth of Chester and projects such as this, which will help maintain a scheduled ancient monument, are important in our quest to ensure the city is a must-see European city.

“A proper maintenance programme will prevent vandalism and anti-social behaviour in the area, which in turn, promotes safety in our city. By removing some of the vegetation and improving interpretation it makes the area more user friendly and welcoming and forms part of the larger project currently underway to turn the Amphitheatre Park into the major tourist attraction it deserves to be.”

Chair of Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Regeneration Policy Development Board, Councillor Stuart Parker, says he has no doubt the Chester Renaissance work will vastly improve the area.

He said: “The removal of those trees will help prevent potential damage to the monument, improve views as well as open up an area which will ensure that it remains a safe and pleasant area.”