Campaigners meet to highlight Chester City Walls repairs mission

A section of the historic walls near the Eastgate Clock collapsed four years ago, and little progress has been made to repair that section since, with temporary scaffolding and a walkway built so pedestrians could circumnavigate the damaged section.

The collapsed section of Chester City Walls. Picture: Jeff Price Photography.

Marking that fourth anniversary were members of the Chester City Walls Repair Campaign Group, who joined local councillors and City of Chester MP Samantha Dixon on a tour of the walls to discuss the current situation.

Commenting on social media following the meet-up, Ms Dixon said: "I joined residents and local campaigners from the Chester City Walls Repair Campaign Group for a walk on our city walls to talk about their importance and their future.

City of Chester MP Samantha Dixon joined campaigners and councillors on the City Walls. Pictures: Jeff Price Photography.

"The Chester Walls are an important part of not only Chester’s but British history. Like many Cestrians, I am proud of our heritage and the historic identity of our city."

Previously, Cheshire West and Chester Council explained legal issues and access difficulties were behind the lack of repair progress, as it identified a possible case of third-party negligence.

City of Chester MP Samantha Dixon joined campaigners and councillors on the City Walls. Pictures: Jeff Price Photography.

A spokesperson for the local authority said: "Since the collapse near to the Eastgate Clock, the Council has been considering potential legal action as it is understood that there are grounds to investigate negligence by a third party which may have contributed to the collapse of the City Walls.

"The Council began a legal process to seek recovery of costs from those third parties who are believed to be responsible for the collapse, letters of claim have been issued. The prospective defendants deny wrongdoing.

The blocked-off section with the temporary walkway on Chester's City Walls. Picture: Jeff Price Photography.

"The site of the collapse is landlocked; for a significant amount of time, the Council has been seeking access from the owners of the land where the collapse occurred, however this has been denied. Alternative access arrangements are being negotiated with other landowners.

"As access has not been granted, legal options are being progressed to enable access to the site to carry out inspections, and possible remedial works.

City of Chester MP Samantha Dixon joined campaigners and councillors on the City Walls. Pictures: Jeff Price Photography.

"The Council will continue to pursue every avenue available to ensure that the City Walls, an internationally recognised heritage asset is preserved and maintained to the highest standard.

"An engineering repair scheme is well developed and will be ready to start on site when the legal and access issues have been resolved.

City of Chester MP Samantha Dixon joined campaigners and councillors on the City Walls. Pictures: Jeff Price Photography.

"More scaffold propping has been designed to support the partially collapsed inner wall to prevent any further damage, with a roof added for further protection. This will be installed in the first phase of the repair work."

An update on the project is due to be discussed at CWaC's next Cabinet meeting on February 7.

City of Chester MP Samantha Dixon joined campaigners and councillors on the City Walls. Pictures: Jeff Price Photography.