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Chester City Centre & Christmas Market Street Closure Info

December 3, 2021 by

To improve Chester city centre security for residents and visitors attending the Christmas market and people choosing to go late-night shopping, the hours when the city’s bollards are raised to the ‘up’ position will extend beyond the usual end time of 4.30pm for four weeks leading up to Christmas.

From 26 November until 22 December, bollards at the Town Hall Kiosk, St. John’s Street, Bridge Street, Watergate Street will be raised in the ‘up’ position, seven days a week, from 10.30am to 10pm for the duration of this period.

Chester City Centre & Christmas Market Street Closure Info - Chester Taxi Services

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Why have the anti-terrorism bollards been shut – is there a threat to Chester?

    There is no specific threat to Chester at this time; however, we constantly review our security arrangements and at this time it is the view of the Council and Cheshire Police that due to a number of factors including the increase in the national threat level and high numbers of visitors to the Christmas Market we have taken the decision to implement a range of safety measures to help keep the public safe. These closures are part of that security plan.

  2. I normally have access – are these closures legal?

    Yes – these closures are legal and have been implemented under powers provided to the Council under the Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984. We have put these closures in to protect the public.

  3. I’m a blue badge holder. Where do I park?

    Blue Badge holders are advised that there are a range of alternative parking available in multi storey car parks, Hamilton Place, Frodsham Street and on roads outside the central streets. If you are a CWAC registered
    Blue Badge holder and you are in receipt of a micro-chip your badge will give you 4 hours free access to any Council pay on foot car parks. Details can be found at the following link: Car parks in Chester

  4. I am a blue badge holder, and I would like to attend a church service/ visit a store within the protected area – where can I park?

    See (3)

  5. I am collecting a Blue Badge holder from the Grosvenor Hotel – how do I do this?

    You can organise to be picked up from the hotel rear entrance in the New Gate Street Car Park, off Pepper Street.

  6. I am collecting a Blue Badge holder from the Blossoms Hotel – how do I do this?

    You will need to arrange a pick-up point as close to your destination as possible and walk to collect the individual concerned.

  7. My business deliveries are only after 4.30pm – what do we do now?

    We would recommend changing your delivery times to between 10pm and 10.30am or ask delivery drivers to park legally outside the protected zone and walk the goods into your store.

  8. We have planned refit works of our shop in the evening, can we still get in?

    Not until after 10pm. We would recommend asking delivery drivers to park legally outside the protected zone and walk the refit materials into your store.

  9. We have a dinner booked at 8pm – we were told we could park in the city centre after 4.30pm. What do we do now?

    We would recommend parking in one of the many car parks across the city; details can be found at the following link: Chester Parking.

  10. We have our own private car park within the protected zone. Can we still access this?

    Not during the closure period. However, you can access it between 10pm and 10.30am every day.

  11. Can we drive up St John Street to our property?

    No as St. John Street is a one-way road.

  12. I work in the evening in Chester and we usually park within the protected zone. Where do we park?

    We would recommend parking in one of the many car parks across the city.

  13. We have a pre-booked function at a venue within the protected zone – are we still allowed to access the protected zone with our vehicle?

    No – We would recommend parking in one of the many car parks across the city.

  14. What if there is an emergency, will it stop the Emergency Services gaining access?

    No – the only vehicles allowed access during these hours will be for exceptional and pre-arranged circumstances. These include emergency service vehicles, bridal cars attending weddings at the Grosvenor Hotel, funeral cars attending funerals at Chester Cathedral, emergency utility works vehicles and Council waste collection vehicles.

  15. If the roads are closed, can I leave my alfresco out?

    Only in line with the parameters set out in your premises’ alfresco licence.

  16. Will these closures happen every year when the Xmas Market is operational?

    The Council and its partners review the security arrangements for all major events including the Christmas Market.

For more information, please contact the Cheshire West and Chester Council.

 

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