Chester’s historic city walls have been repaired using recycled Roman masonry from the site of the new cultural centre.

Cheshire West and Chester Council ’s bridges and structures team arranged for the stones to be used in repairs to the city walls near the Groves . The section of pathway from the Roman Gardens that had been closed to the public while the work was carried out has now been re-opened.

Repairs were carried out to the section of walls at the bottom of Barnaby’s Tower which probably dates from the 13th Century.

This Grade I listed building was originally a watch tower and was modified to become a feature of the walls when the top of the tower was made level with the walkway between 1702 and 1708.

The capping work in progress

Ivy and other vegetation growth, along with general weathering, had caused erosion at the base of the walls.

The remaining rock was loose and very fragile.

The team arranged for all loose material to be removed and the recycled Roman masonry was used to rebuild and stabilise this section.

Roman masonry has also been used to build a protective ‘capping’ layer which allows water to run off and prevents any new vegetation growth.

The masonry was excavated from the former Odeon site as part of the works on the new cultural centre.

The completed work

No Roman buildings were damaged during the excavations at the site – the masonry was from below-ground foundations and also a Roman drain.

Cabinet member for economic development and infrastructure councillor Brian Clarke said: “I’m delighted that these repairs have been completed using Roman materials sourced from elsewhere in our historic city. It is fascinating to hear about the history of this section of the wall and we have now secured its future for many generations to come.”