Reopening of major route into Chester

Mar 11 2010 by David Holmes, Chester Chronicle

MOTORISTS are breathing a sigh of relief as a major city centre route reopens.

Lower Watergate Street and adjoining side roads were due to reopen last night or today (Thursday) following a seven-week closure since January 18, causing congestion on alternative routes.

The work is part of a five-year £20m programme to replace more than 88 miles of iron gas mains across Chester with modern polyethylene pipe.

There was almost a fortnight’s delay in getting the road back open because of a fault on a ScottishPower cable. A decision was made to replace a length of cable before the road was resurfaced.

Cheshire West and Chester Council made use of the extra time by waterproofing the bridge deck at the Sealand Road canal bridge, removing vegetation from the City Walls and replacing traffic light heads.

Some residents also carried out work involving scaffolding.

Workmen were yesterday carrying out finishing touches to the pavements.

Chester-bound traffic using the A548 Sealand Road had been diverted on to the Deva Link, along Parkgate Road and on to the ring road, with the reverse for North Wales-bound motorists.