Latest news from the Chester Northgate project team
With underground tunnelling now completed on the new drain, work above ground is underway to reinstate the central reservations, traffic signals and lighting along Nicholas Street and St. Martins Way. These works have required the closure of one lane either side of the central reservation to provide a safe working area from passing traffic.
Once the work is complete and it is safe to do so, traffic will revert to two lanes northbound wherever possible. To help decrease traffic delays, some works will now be carried out overnight; diversion and access-only routes will be fully signposted. The overnight closures will take place on:
• Saturday 20 November – no left turn from Watergate Street into St. Martins Way from 8pm to 6am Sunday 21 November
• Sunday 21 November – no right turn out of Watergate Street into Nicholas Street and no left turn from Nicholas Street into Watergate Street from 8pm to 6am Monday 22 November
During the two November closures one lane northbound on St. Martins Way will be maintained.
• Tuesday 14 December – St. Martins Way northbound between Watergate Street and Sens Close from 8pm to 6am Wednesday 15 December
• Wednesday 15 December – St. Martins Way northbound between Watergate Street and Sens Close from 8pm to 6am Thursday 16 December.
The Council is working closely with the contractor to minimise the impact on traffic and complete the work quickly, but regretfully some delays are inevitable.
Winning names for Arcade and Square
Voting on the shortlist of names closed on 5 November and over 5,500 votes were cast online.
The winners are:
Coachworks Arcade
In recognition that there has been a coachworks on the Northgate site since 1870, the current façade was built in 1914, (formerly the Chester Library building between 1984 – 2017). The original 1914 Westminster Coach & Motor Car Works façade is being restored into a new arcade and arched entrance into the development.
Exchange Square
After the name of the original Market building opened in 1698 that was located in Market Square, very near to the Northgate site and opposite the Cathedral. It was a grand building with an open piazza, coffee house and shops on the ground floor, and upper rooms that included a banqueting room, a court room, and a council chamber. Sadly, the building burnt down on 30 December 1862.
For more information visit www.chesternorthgate.com