Chester Northgate Update August
Good afternoon
Construction Plan Update
With work now well underway, here are some of the forthcoming expected milestones for the remainder of the year:
The steps at the bottom of Hunter Street have now reopened for pedestrian access onto St. Martin’s Way, please take care and follow footway signage
Drain enabling works commence and central reservations removed on St. Martin\u2019s Way\/Nicholas St.to allow for drain shafts \u2013 currently underway
Site Investigations for drainage tunnel \u2013 completion imminent, and reopening of Castle Drive expected Friday 21st August
Market Car Park entrance closes on Princess Street, access will remain via St. Martin\u2019s Way \u2013 1st September
Piling works commence on site, working west to east \u2013 early September
Substructure to former Library building extension commences \u2013 end September
Hunter Street alignment completed to provide access onto St. Martin\u2019s Way \u2013 early November
Princess St. closed to access from Northgate St. – early November
St. Martin\u2019s Way\/Nicholas St. closed to southbound traffic for drain works \u2013 expected early November \u2013 further details of the traffic diversions will be provided in September
Car Park foundations and Market\/Cinema superstructure commences \u2013 late December.
First Archaeological Finds Revealed
Archaeologists working on the Northgate site alongside our contractors, have discovered several Roman artefacts which include what is thought
to be a rare gaming piece made from bone.
The lozenge-shaped gaming piece, see attached, is highly polished, probably from use, is approximately 29mm long and features a common Roman decoration of a ring and dot motif.
Experts link this to the game of Ludus Latrunculorum, meaning the Game of Mercenaries, which was a two-player military strategy board game played throughout the Roman Empire, similar to draughts. Finding it in part of a legionary barracks in Chester would back up this theory. Other artefacts found to date include another bone artefact, possibly a comb; a possible spearhead; and a pin or broach.
With work now well underway, contractor VINCI Construction UK and archaeologists Oxford Archaeology, have been carefully excavating to find signs of Roman life and other historical artefacts. However, despite all of the activity on site at present, the construction will not result in any major intrusion into the important archaeological remains which remain undisturbed as the works proceed.
The development has been carefully designed to avoid disturbance of archaeological remains as far as possible and a comprehensive mitigation strategy overseen by Historic England is in place to ensure intrusions into the most sensitive strata are kept to an absolute minimum. Andrew Davison, Historic England\u2019s Inspector of Ancient Monuments for the North West recently visited the site to inspect the work to date. He said: \u201cChester residents are unusually knowledgeable about the City\u2019s heritage, including its archaeology, They speak volumes about the quality of the archaeology we
are dealing with at this very significant site.\u201d
Northgate Street Hoardings
Our new hoarding design has now been installed in front of the former library building.
We hope you like our \u2018From\u2026 to\u2019 rhymes from Chester’s past and present. E.g. From Eastgate Clock\u2026 to flaming wok.
Let us have your ideas and we may include them in future hoardings elsewhere on the site.
This information is also available in our latest newsletter if you wish to share:
http:\/\/chesternorthgate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/CNG-Newsletter-Aug-2020.pdf
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Chester Northgate Update August Good afternoon Construction Plan Update With work now well underway, here are some of the forthcoming expected milestones for the remainder of the year: The steps at the bottom of Hunter Street have now reopened for … Continue reading