LOCAL MP Mike Amesbury is keeping up the pressure to ensure a Helsby road reopens – five years after it closed for safety reasons.
A section of Old Chester Road, Helsby, was closed in July 2017 due to the ‘poor condition’ of a privately-owned overhead bridge, causing inconvenience for locals in vehicles and on foot.
Further investigations by Cheshire West and Chester Council uncovered ever more complex safety issues involving land belonging to neighbouring private property owners. However, the end finally appears in sight.
Mr Amesbury, who represents Weaver Vale, said: “Cholmondeley Estates was granted planning permission to replace the overhead bridge but the work did not take place until spring 2020.
“When the new bridge was being put in place, it was discovered the adjacent rock face and sandstone walls lining Old Chester Road were unsafe and unstable.
“Following a series of discussions between the council and the private property owners, it’s my understanding there are now only two outstanding issues to resolve. Clearly significant progress has been made, which is good news.
“My constituents are understandably fed up with this seemingly endless saga. I want to assure people that I remain in regular contact with the council whose staff, I know, are working very hard to facilitate a practical solution with the various parties.
“I hope everyone will continue to work constructively together to get the necessary repairs done as quickly as possible so the road can reopen.”
Deputy council leader Cllr Karen Shore, cabinet member for environment, highways and strategic transport, said: “Getting Old Chester Road re-opened remains a priority for the local authority and we continue to play an important role in bringing private landowners together to address the public safety issues that have meant the road has to be closed.
“The walls along the road are now the primary issue because the work on the bridge owned by Cholmondeley Estates has now been completed. We remain totally focused on working with the landowners to get the road reopened for the benefit of the wider community.”