Update on wall collapse repairs at St Oswald’s in Malpas

Cheshire West and Chester Council is now able to provide a further update on the wall collapse repairs at St Oswald’s Church in Malpas, including future road closures.

Phase two of the project (to permanently repair the wall) started as planned on Monday 15 August.

Works so far have included constructing a compound in the church car park for the contractors’ workforce, equipment and materials and installing fencing in the churchyard to close off the areas where work is taking place from the public to keep them (and the workforce) safe.

During the first week pointing samples (using lime mortar) were carried out by stonemasons, ready for inspection in week two by the Church Architect and the Conservation Officer. Inspections of the other materials included samples of the stone that will be used for the repairs. These inspections are necessary due to the listed status and historic nature of the wall.

These included samples of the stone that will be used for the wall and the materials that will be used to cover the piling holes that are required for below-ground structural elements. These inspections are necessary due to the listed status and historic nature of the wall.

The Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Strategic Transport, Councillor Karen Shore said: “The work is not simply a wall re-build. It is a complex engineering project that requires excavation and preparation of tension micropiles to secure the stability of the wall. 

“These works may not be so noticeable, and some may even take place off site, so may give the incorrect impression that nothing is happening.  Please be assured that work is progressing and we’re doing all we can to complete these repairs as quickly as possible.”

As the project continues it will be necessary to close Church Street for safety reasons from Monday 12 September.  Access will be maintained for residents of Parbutts Lane from the High Street/Old Hall Street direction and a signed diversion route will be in place for through traffic.

Due to the scale of the works, the listed status of the wall and the constraints of the site some disruption is inevitable to allow the works to take place. For example, road closures are necessary to allow safe working. Wherever possible, roads will be re-opened, even if only for short periods, to help reduce the impact.