The collapsed section of Roman wall (image: Sam Warrenger)
Investigations have begun into what caused part of Chester’s Roman city wall to collapse during construction work.
The section of the ancient structure adjoins the site of a new aparthotel development.
Cheshire West and Chester Council said that the collapse on Friday last week had occurred following excavations by a private developer, thought to be Liverpool-based Walker and Williams.
A council spokesperson said: “Investigations are continuing to establish the exact reasons for the collapse, but early indications appear to show that earth had been removed from the bottom of the city walls behind 15 to 19 Newgate Street (near to the wall walkway leading out of the Grosvenor Shopping Centre).
“The removal of too much earth exposed a section of bare foundations. The developer has now stopped the works within their site, to enable further assessments to be undertaken.”
Councillor Karen Shore, deputy leader and cabinet member for Environment, Highways and Strategic Transport, said: “The council is taking this situation very seriously and we will ensure that a thorough investigation is carried out. I am thankful that no-one has been hurt as a result of this collapse and our priority will continue to be public safety.”
Developer Max Williams said: “We are so thankful that nobody was hurt in the collapse on Thursday night but are greatly saddened by what has happened.
“We will support the council where ever we can to get the wall sympathetically restored and made safe for many years to come.
“We apologise to the people of Chester for any distress this has caused them but would kindly ask them to wait for the facts to become clear before making a judgement.”
Image courtesy of: www.twitter.com/@SamWarrenger
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After literally one thousand nine hundred and forty years (approximately) it has taken a clearly dreadful planning approval and incompetent building practice to have led to this appalling tragedy to Chester’s heritage.
There seems to have been a very serious lapse of inspection and control for this to have happened. Approval for building close to any ancient monument is not acceptable practice and some one individual or more is responsible for this.
If, as reports suggest, there had been serious rainfall, then why was the work allowed to continue? If not, then why has it happened now, coinciding with building work?
There has to be a serious investigation at every level. Authorities hold these sites in trust for past, present and future generations and short-term profits from builders cashing-in on every ‘spare’ patch of ground is not acceptable.
How strange; heavy rainfall mid-January, removal of earth next to the wall foundation, no propping or shoring evident and next thing you know, an almost 2000 year old wall collapses – what rotten bad luck !
I agree with Charlotte 100%. looking at the photo Is enough to tell me that a grave injustice has occurred or incredible incompetence. But how could this b e allowed to happen in the first place. Heads should rolls.
The Council will no doubt wish to check what conditions were inserted in the party wall award (in accordance with The Party Wall etc Act 1996) with reference to the adjacent excavations affecting the structure of the City wall? Did the owner of the wall engage the services of a checking engineer? Were the works carried out in accordance with the Award, or were the works carried out in breach of statutory duty? Any answers will be too late for this section of wall but essential for the protection of the wall in future. Richard Birchall
Too late to worry about it now. Just put it back!