Speed cameras are being recommended to prevent a repeat of a car crashing into Chester's historic Grosvenor Bridge.

Work has been ongoing over the past month to repair the Grade I-listed bridge over the River Dee since it was hit twice by vehicles in March and October 2022.

On both those occasions, cars heading out of Chester failed to turn left and hit the parapet head-on, causing heavy masonry blocks to fall on to the footpath and cycleway about 50ft below. Fortunately there were no injuries.

Temporary scaffolding was put up while Cheshire West and Chester Council worked with conservation teams and Historic England on a long-term solution.

Now it can be revealed that, as part of the repair works, a number of measures have been recommended to prevent any further collisions which could lead to fatal consequences.

Waterman Infrastructure & Environment Ltd was commissioned by the council to explore repair options, with the firm in turn commissioning Clach Conservation Engineering to work on safety solutions.

In documents available via the council's planning portal, Clach has listed a number of highway improvements for Grosvenor Road, as well as a limited structural intervention on the parapet to prevent the risk of debris scattering.

Speed cameras at the bridge crossing approaches, to enforce a restricted speed, are among the recommendations, along with rumble strips painted on the road surface "to wake up sleeping/distracted drivers", and reinforced kerbs that aim to redirect erring vehicles back into the carriageway, rather than mount the pavement.

A rebuild of the parapet with new reinforced masonry measures is also designed to minimise "ejected debris" in the event of a vehicle striking it.

Listed building consent is sought via a partly retrospective application to the local authority, which adds that pedestrian access will return once works have been completed and the scaffolding removed.

It is hoped the works are completed by early November.