MOTORISTS heading into Chester via the Grosvenor Bridge should expect to face several more weeks of traffic disruption due to the ongoing Clockwise Chester works.

As of Monday, October 25, two-way traffic returned to Nicholas Street, allowing traffic to flow from Sealand Road and New Crane Street towards Grosvenor Roundabout and Grosvenor Road, without having to effectively do a loop of Chester city centre. The road from Watergate Street to Grosvenor Roundabout is one lane.

However, traffic on a small section of Nicholas Street, travelling from Grosvenor Roundabout to the Watergate Street junction, has this week been restricted to one lane.

This is because of 'reinstatement works' in the centre of the dual carriageway, which include the reconstruction of the central carriageway now the drainage tunnel has been fitted underground, as well as new street lighting.

The effect has been at its most pronounced this week because works have been taking place just north of the Grosvenor Roundabout, resulting in a pinch point causing traffic congestion on the roundabout and tailbacks heading back to Overleigh Roundabout and Wrexham Road.

Cheshire West and Chester Council has apologised to motorists for the inconvenience during the works, saying the closure of the lanes is necessary to allow for a safe working area either side of the central reservation.

It added: "This is the biggest infrastructure project in Chester for over 40 years and regretfully has resulted in some traffic delays.

"We are liaising with the contractor to ensure the work can be completed as quickly as possible."

Contacted by The Standard for more details on a timescale for the works, a council spokesperson said: "The full reinstatement works are scheduled to run until late December.

"However, as the works move north along Nicholas Street and into St Martin's Way, the situation should improve, albeit with one lane closed where necessary for safe working on the central reservation, although we will endeavour to maximise the time whereby traffic will have two lanes northbound as much as possible to keep traffic flowing and reduce any delays."

When the central reservation reinstatement works progress to St Martin's Way, that will allow traffic to flow more easily from Grosvenor Roundabout from Nicholas Street, turning left for Lower Watergate Street and passing via New Crane Street towards Sealand Road.

The situation has been exacerbated by the ongoing closure of Nuns Road, where drainage tunnel works are still taking place at the Grosvenor Road end, and will not reopen before January 2022.

Further roadworks are planned on St Martin's Way in the week beginning December 13, for resurfacing. However, these works will be carried out overnight, with diversion routes in place.

The new surface water drainage tunnel, CWaC says, has been a significant investment in Chester’s future and is a necessary requirement ahead of major regeneration schemes and improved city centre facilities, including the first phase of the Northgate development, which remains on target to open next summer.

It will also increase Chester's drainage capacity and should reduce instances of flooding and drain bursts in the city centre.

It will also reduce the number of untreated sewage discharges into the river due to heavy rainfall when the current network is already at capacity – currently a hot topic nationally.