A LANDSLIP by Curzon Park has been to blame for delays in getting a railway footbridge reopened.
Network Rail has spent the past year carrying out works on the railway bridge which runs over the River Dee between Curzon Park and Chester Racecourse.
As part of the works, Cheshire West and Chester Council asked the rail firm to upgrade the footbridge which runs parallel to the railway.
Work was due to be completed last week, but additional works are taking place after a landslip, caused by persistent heavy rain, damaged the footpath from Curzon Park leading on to the bridge.
A spokesman for Network Rail said: “We were carrying out work on the viaduct last year when we were approached by the council to carry out improvements to the footbridge by the side.
“We started work in the latter part of last year and as part of that we have installed a new structure.
“That footbridge should have opened last week but we wanted to strengthen the supports. The other reason is because there was an embankment slip which caused damage to the footpath to the footbridge.
“In about two weeks the footbridge will be reopened. We apologise for any delay but it’s important we complete the works so the bridge is safe.”
A spokeswoman for Cheshire West and Chester Council added: “There has been a landslip on the embankment, which we belive is a consequence of the heavy rainfall.
“We are due to take a full investigation to find out what had happened.”
The new cantilevered pedestrian footbridge will be made of galvanised steel with plastic deck planks to give a durable low-maintenance structure.
