Traffic under Chester’s iconic Eastgate Clock is set to increase and Frodsham Street will close between June and December this year as the next phase of the city’s new bus interchange development is revealed.
A temporary road will be created between Eastgate and Foregate Streets on an area outside the Royal Bank of Scotland which is currently paved and accessed by pedestrians only.
Cheshire West and Chester Council has unveiled details of improvement works on Frodsham Street in Chester, beginning in late June through to December 2016.
The project is funded by the council and Cheshire and Warrington’s Local Enterprise Partnership who are investing £13.5m from their Local Growth Deal towards both projects.
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To carry out these works safely, Frodsham Street will be closed and the way Frodsham Street traffic is routed through the city will be changed.
To ease the flow of traffic and maintain services for businesses and residents, it will be necessary to join Foregate Street to Eastgate Street.
In front of the Royal Bank of Scotland, a temporary road surface will be laid in place of the existing paved area. The existing paving will be removed and an asphalt surface laid to allow vehicle movement from Eastgate to Foregate Street.
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Pedestrian footways will be maintained either side of the newly created road to allow pedestrians to pass both sides of the construction area in safety.
These advance works are expected to begin on Monday, May 23 and last two weeks.
A council spokeswoman confirmed there would be times when the temporary road between Eastgate and Foregate Streets would be two-way although there would also be times when it would be restricted to one way.
Traffic will only be able to use the temporary connecting road when Frodsham Street is closed in late June.
Buses that currently use Frodsham Street to access Foregate Street will also need to be routed differently. From late June the buses will use Love Street and Foregate Street.
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Work will begin shortly to put three bus stops in Love Street and widen the pavement outside Argos in Foregate Street to create more space for bus passengers.
Cllr Brian Clarke, Cabinet member for economic development and infrastructure, said: “This next phase of the Chester Bus Interchange project will transform the way Frodsham Street looks and create an attractive gateway into the city.
“While the works are being undertaken the temporary roadway will maintain deliveries for businesses and keep the city moving. The new bus stops and shelters are being installed to provide good facilities for our bus passengers whilst the Frodsham Street scheme is built.
“All bus companies, shops and stall holders affected by these advanced works have been informed of the forthcoming works and I’d like to thank them for their patience and support.”
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Access to supermarkets like Tesco and Iceland at the other end of Frodsham Street will remain open at all times with the possible exception of a short period at some point during the scheme when overnight access may have to be temporarily restricted.
Regular newsletters will be produced to keep the public informed about progress on the Frodsham Street site when it is under way. This will continue for the duration of the scheme. Information will also be made available on the council’s website and through social media.
For more information visit: cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/frodshamstreet.
