Painstaking work on the ‘giant jigsaw’ reconstruction of Sandiway’s historic Round Tower will start this week - but residents won’t see the historic landmark reinstated in its original place until early 2015.

Building specialists from Grosvenor Construction are all set to begin phase one of reconstruction of the Grade II listed structure, reduced to bricks after a car ploughed into it last year, and will re-create it piece by piece at the company’s HQ in Kinmel Bay.

However, so meticulous is the work which involves cutting and shaping individual pieces of sandstone, including some from the original tower, that the landmark will not be able to be transported back to its site in the centre of the A556 until the New Year.

Throughout their task, workers will be guided by details gathered by Cheshire archivists of the previous structure, which had to be demolished due to safety reasons after a red Corsa smashed into it on the night of November 14 last year.

Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC) had to submit an application for planning permission as well as secure permission from Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Eric Pickles before the reconstruction could begin.

Director Rory Moore of Grosvenor Construction, who have worked on a range of conservation projects including that of Chester’s Roman Walls, admitted the reconstruction is going to be ‘a challenge’ but one he looks forward to meeting.

“We have been made well aware of how much the Round Tower means to the local community and to re-instate such a historic landmark to its original site will give us tremendous satisfaction,” he said. “Over the years, we have restored and conserved many historic buildings and structures – the emphasis has mainly been on conservation of building remains so the opportunity to carry out the complete restoration of this landmark back to its former glory is greatly welcomed.”

Weaver and Cuddington councillor Charles Fifield, himself a chartered surveyor, added: “It was clear following the initial meeting on site with the contractor that it would simply not be possible to finish the works before the Christmas and New Year.

“Whilst residents may be disappointed that work on site will now not begin until then, much of the stone preparation and planning will be completed by that time.

“The ‘jigsaw’ method of construction will also thankfully prevent traffic disruption on one of the borough’s major arterial roads due to lane closures during the busy holiday period, and also allow the council to monitor progress and provide regular reports to the community.”

Motorist Lesley Davis, 57, of Northwich admitted a charge of dangerous driving at Chester Crown Court on May 16 this year following the incident in which she suffered only minor injuries, and the restoration project has been funded by her insurance.

During her court hearing, Ms Davis was disqualified from driving for 12 months and ordered to take an extended re-test before she could regain her licence. She was also fined £4,000 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £340. A victim surcharge of £40 was also made against her.