Yahoo News Stoke-on-Trent road still shut - 87 days after fire
Motorists are still facing diversions as a key Stoke-on-Trent road remains shut - almost three months after a fire forced its closure. There had been hopes that at least one lane of Newcastle Street, in Middleport, would have been reopened last week.
But today caging around the fire-hit building remains up with the stretch still shut off. It comes after fire crews from four stations had descended on the scene on April 7 in what was later deemed to be an accidental blaze.
In the aftermath of the fire caging went up on the stretch - a key route to get drivers to the A500 - with the road shut off due to the condition of the affected building. StokeonTrentLive reported how Stoke-on-Trent City Council had pinned a 'notice of emergency measures to deal with a dangerous building' which gave the owner 14 days from the date of the letter (April 25) to carry out works.
At the time the local authority said the owner had been 'unresponsive' and the 'continued closure of the road is not an option'. As the deadline subsequently passed, the council then confirmed at the start of June that specialist engineers had been given permission to stabilise the fire-hit buildings.
The local authority said there was a 'plan of action' which would 'allow the road to be reopened as a matter of urgency'. On June 21, the council issued a statement to say work carried out would allow the road to reopen at the start of the following week.
It had been hoped the efforts would allow one lane to reopen with two-way lights.
At the time a spokesperson said: "We are disappointed that the owners of the building on Newcastle Street did not take responsibility for the building, delaying the re-opening of the road. With thanks to the specialist engineers, we now have works planned in which will allow the road to be opened from next week. Once the work is completed, we will be seeking recompense from the owners."
The council said it would review the issues around the road having to stay shut.
The spokesperson had said: "We understand residents and businesses have been frustrated with the delay. There have been a number of challenges which we have had to take into account and which we are working towards resolving.
"We will also use this as a learning experience. We obviously hope nothing like this happens again but, if it does, we’ll be in a better position to reduce congestion in the city as much as we possibly can. The review being carried out will mean we can ensure we don’t see a repeat of this.
“We remain committed to preserving and protecting historic buildings in the city, and will take action against owners who neglect their responsibilities.”
StokeonTrentLive has reported how during the closure traders on the stretch claim to have been left out of pocket while residents say nearby streets have been turned into rat-runs. Today (July 3) and the road is still shut in both directions with the Morrisons Daily store still having to remain closed.
We are awaiting an update from the city council.
