AN AGREEMENT over a new access road to serve the former Chester Army base at Saighton Camp has moved a step closer.
City MP Christine Russell believes top-level talks at the Crowne Plaza Hotel involving representatives of the Government Office North West, the Highways Agency, Chester City and Cheshire County councils and site owner Commercial Estates have come closer to a resolution.
Residents say any development of the near 100-acre site would swamp existing roads unless a new access from the A55 is built.
Commercial Estates already has out-line permission for 103 properties, with demolition of 48 former army homes now under way.
It says there could eventually be a further 800-1,000 homes - with added premises for science and technology firms in a mixed development.
The aim of last week's meeting was to persuade reluctant Highways Agency officials of the need for the road.
Mrs Russell said: 'It was a constructive meeting and good to get all the key players around the table.
'There's been an impasse because the Highways Agency is reluctant to allow access onto trunk roads for safety reasons.
'The aim was to show them this is a key strategic development site and I'm hopeful we persuaded them of our case.
'The site owners certainly seem willing to provide the access road.'
Commercial Estates consultants are now likely to draw up plans looking at possible routes for the road.
Further meetings will be arranged by the city council as a final solution is sought.
