REPAIRS on a section of a major bridge leading in and out of Chester are finally due to begin soon.

Cheshire West and Chester Council has provided a further update on the repair works to Grosvenor Bridge, which was hit by vehicles twice in a six-month period in 2022.

The first of these happened in March that, year, the second in October, when in both incidents the drivers of the cars failed to turn left when going on the bridge in the direction of Overleigh Roundabout, and hit the wall head-on.

Fortunately there were no injuries as large masonry blocks fell 50ft to the footpath and cycleway below.

Since then, the local authority has had scaffolding in place at the bridge while it assessed how the repairs should be carried out. The work is complicated by the fact the bridge has Grade I-listed status, and that the council is seeking to strengthen the bridge so the risk of falling masonry is reduced.

However, CWaC is now in a position to begin repairs on the bridge parapet, using new blocks of masonry, early this year – potentially next month.

Scaffolding will remain in place after the rebuild until further strengthening work is completed.

An update posted on the council website said: "Design work is progressing well and is almost complete. Our consultants have employed a CARE conservation engineer (Conservation Accreditation Register of Engineers) to produce the information that will go to the council's planning service and conservation officer to comply with listed building consent. It is hoped the plans will be submitted to our planners in the next few weeks.

"Rebuilding of the bridge parapet is planned for early in the new year (likely to be February), using new blocks of masonry as the previous blocks were smashed. This could not be carried out earlier until the strengthening solution is confirmed.

"Strengthening works will follow after listed building consent is in place. The scaffolding will remain in place after the phase one repairs until the strengthening work is completed.

"Reconstruction costs will be recovered from the drivers' insurance policies but strengthening costs will be borne by the council."