FAMOUS NORTHWICH LANDMARK SERIOUSLY DAMAGED
(Friday 15 November)
Part of the A556 in Northwich was closed overnight and one lane was open in either direction this morning (Friday) after a car caused serious damage to the historic landmark and Grade ll listed Round Tower Lodge.
The vehicle demolished a third of the tower and the driver was taken to Leighton Hospital. The road is now fully reopened.
Cheshire Police contacted Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Highways Service who coordinated the emergency response out of hours by arranging for traffic management. An inspector from the Council’s Building Control team carried out an inspection of the structure which was deemed to be unsafe.
Contractors were brought in and carefully demolished the remaining circa 1816 structure. The material from the tower was collected this morning.
The Highways Officer put in a series of diversions when the road was closed.
The tower bricks are being carefully stored and a meeting will take place between Highways and Conservation officers in consultation with English Heritage at a later date to discuss possible reconstruction.
Councillor Lynn Riley, Executive Member for Localities said: “Our two officers were on the scene last night as soon as the alert was raised.
“Traffic diversions were put in place while a survey was carried out of the tower which was deemed unsafe.
“The tower blocks are now in safe storage and the Council will carefully consider all options open to us, including the possibility of reconstruction.”
Local Weaver and Cuddington Councillor Charles Fifield said: “I was shocked when I saw pictures of the collision on the Cheshire Police twitter feed last night and immediately alerted the Council.
“However I was very pleased to discover that the Highways Duty Officer and the Building Control Duty Officer were already on the scene.
“The Building Control officer stayed there throughout the night and morning, until the unsafe structure had been demolished.
“My first thoughts are for the motorist concerned and I wish her a speedy recovery.
“I know that residents from across Northwich and beyond will be joining me today in thinking about the Round Tower – a well loved local landmark and I hope that it can be reconstructed.”
