Chester’s Northgate Street closed by St Peter’s Church

A section of Northgate Street in Chester by St. Peter’s Church has been closed due to the potentially dangerous state of the church wall.

Since November 2022 Northgate Street and one footpath next to St Peter’s Church wall have been closed to vehicular access due to concern about falling masonry. 

St Peter’s Church commissioned a structural survey of their church wall adjacent to Northgate Street, and has received the results of this, which they have now shared with the Council.

The church wall has now been judged to be in a potentially dangerous structural condition. Due to potential significant structural issues at that section of the wall, resulting in public safety concerns. and in accordance with Section 14 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the street and both footpaths have now been closed until further notice to protect the public.

Signage at the site reflects the closure and alternative access points to Northgate Street.

Social media messaging is alerting the public to the closure of the road and footpaths until further notice.  We are working closely with the church to bring about a speedy and safe resolution that will enable us to open the footpaths as quickly as possible.

Councillor Karen Shore, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member - Environment, Highways & Strategic Transport said: “The emergency closure is due to the potentially dangerous structural condition of a section of St Peter’s Church wall.

“Our officers have ensured there is a safe restricted environment, so that remedial action can be undertaken at pace to make the wall safe in association with a structural engineer commissioned by the Council and the structural engineer acting on behalf of the Church.

“We are liaising with businesses to minimise any disruption and seeking to rectify the situation as soon as possible.”

Northgate Street can still be accessed via the Rows steps by Rosie’s or around the corner on Eastgate Street.

For further details: 

https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/transport-and-roads/highways/major-road-schemes/st-peters-church-chester