MOTORISTS are braced for eight weeks of traffic chaos in Chester's city centre.
Work being carried out by the National Grid from January 14 is expected to cause widespread disruption on roads in the city.
The gas main along Grosvenor Road and across the Grosvenor Bridge is being replaced and restrictions will include:
* Grosvenor Road temporarily becoming one-way into the city.
* The Old Dee Bridge becoming one -way out of the city.
* Castle Drive will be one-way between Grosvenor Road and Lower Bridge Street.
* Temporary traffic lights at the junction of Castle Drive and Lower Bridge Street.
* Traffic lights on the Old Dee Bridge will be turned off.
Traffic leaving or entering Chester from North Wales and anywhere south ofthecityis likelytobeaffected and there could be a knock-on effect elsewhere.
Chester's largest park and ride, on Wrexham Road, will come under pressure, as will the business park, already a traffic hotspot.
Cheshire County Council has asked staff based in their headquarters to car share wherever possible.
Queens Park High School, Chester Catholic High, King's School and Overleigh St Mary's Primary are likely tosufferandHandbridge-based West Cheshire College is advising staff and students to allow extra time for journeys.
County Cllr John Burke, executive member for highways and transport, said: 'I would advise motorists to avoid these bridges. If that isn't possible Iwouldurge peopletousepublic transport or share cars.'
City Cllr Mia Jones (Lib Dem, Dodleston) was worried about the impact on Eccleston.
She said: 'The village already has problems withtrafficandrestrictions would be likely to increase that.'
