Feathers Lane facelift

Cheshire West and Chester Council is completing work to improve Feathers Lane, close to Bridge Street and Commonhall Street in Chester.

Improvements have been made to the road, pavements and landscaping and a new commercial bin store and domestic bin storage area have been created on land belonging to the Grosvenor Estate. 

The lane has been re-laid with hand cut paving, that now provides a smooth sloping surface, so that bins can be emptied with minimal noise disturbance to residents and is easy for Council staff to cleanse. The domestic bin area is separate to the commercial store, newly constructed from timber with smooth pathways so all bins can be emptied easily and cleanly. 

Councillor Nathan Pardoe, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, Regeneration and Digital Transformation said: “I am sure residents will welcome these improvements that should resolve previous issues with missed refuse collections, spilt waste and the pavement being obstructed by bins.

“Feathers Lane follows on from improvements we’ve already made to Leen Lane and Pierpoint Lane, remaining historically sympathetic to the medieval lane.

“By moving and improving the bin storage, we are also removing an additional fire risk that the bins had in their previous location next to the Chester Rows.”

Richard Waddington, Chief Operating Officer at the University of Chester said: “The land at Feathers Lane where the work has been completed is close to student residential accommodation and will improve this area for all concerned, including through the clean and safe storage of waste.”

Nigel Driver, Head of Commercial Property Management, Grosvenor’s Eaton Estate said: “We are pleased to have supported the project which has transformed the site, contributing to our aims of improving property and places in the city and delivering a lasting benefit to the social, economic and environmental wellbeing of our local communities.”

Additional issues were uncovered and repaired during the work; part of the historic wall was rebuilt to tackle shrubs growing inside the double skinned walls and brickwork repairs were needed above the student access gate.

The final element is to complete the garden, it will be low maintenance, with soft evergreen planting and fixed seating to make the area appealing and a great place to sit and take time out. Annual seeds have been sown for this summer and work will continue in the autumn planting Laurels, shrub beds and borders.

The newly laid lane also provides one of the fire escape routes for the Grosvenor shopping centre.  Since the lane is now free of bins, the route is easily passable in case of emergency.

Feathers Lane is one of four surviving medieval lanes in Chester, Godstall Lane, Feathers Lane, Pierpoint Lane and Leen Lane. Feathers Lane originally led to the yard of the Feathers Hotel, Chester's main coaching inn in the early 19th century. The Feathers was demolished in 1866.

Pictured - Feathers Lane work in progress.