City bridge to close for repairs

Five of the 15 bridge spans need to be strengthened

A historic bridge which is one of the main routes into Chester is closing for 12 weeks for major strengthening work.

Hoole Bridge will close to traffic on Monday, but will remain open to cyclists and pedestrians.

Five of the 15 bridge spans need to be strengthened or replaced to meet European Union regulations.

A spokesman for Cheshire council said diversions would be in place and all buses would run as normal throughout the closure.

Traffic from the M56 and M53 will be given an alternative route along the A5117, A5032 and A41 into Chester.

Drivers heading towards the Sealand Road area of the city will be diverted from the A56 to the A41 (north) and A41 (south) for the city centre and Boughton.

Traffic travelling along Hoole Road will be diverted into Newton Lane and Brook Lane for city centre access.

Cheshire's executive member for Highways and Transportation, Eveleigh Moore-Dutton, said: "Diversion routes have been set up across the city and we have contacted thousands of homes and businesses well in advance of the 11 February deadline.

"The essential work will take approximately eight to twelve weeks to complete and we are reiterating the fact that businesses either side of the bridge will be open as usual."