THE start of planned repairs on a major bridge in and out of Chester have been delayed.

Previously, as part of a series of updates on the repair works to Grosvenor Bridge, Cheshire West and Chester Council reported it was hoped the repair work could begin as soon as February.

It came after the Grade I-listed bridge 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.

Previously, CWaC said it was in a position to begin repairs on the bridge parapet, using new blocks of masonry, early this year, potentially as soon as February.

However, the local authority has now decided the necessary reconstruction and strengthening works will take place at the same time.

This will be after Listed Building Consent is in place, for which a date has yet to be set.

Explaining this situation, the council 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."

The local authority added: "Reconstruction costs will be recovered from the drivers' insurance policies but strengthening costs will be borne by the council."