Preparatory work to demolish buildings at 164 and 166 on High Street Bangor, which were extensively damaged by a fire in December 2019, has now started.
The fire destroyed the Noodle One restaurant and the adjoining Morgan Clothes Shop, leaving the buildings in an unsafe state. Scaffolding to support the buildings has forced part of the High Street, between Bangor Cathedral and Lôn Pobty to be closed to traffic since the fire.
Businesses have experienced a significant downturn in trade since the fire and have had to deal with problems with deliveries accessing premises on the high street, particularly large vehicles. The Covid-19 restrictions has only compounded the situation for High Street businesses.
Technical and legal complexities are believed to have hampered the progress with the demolition work, much to the anger of local business owners.
Demolition Work Expected To Take 13 Weeks
The work is to be completed in two parts. The first part will be to strengthen the road in order to support the crane required to enable the demolition work to proceed. It is anticipated that this first phase will take approximately 7 weeks.
Once a crane is located on site then the second phase, the demolition of the buildings, will be able to proceed. The demolition work will take approximately 6 weeks to complete.
Gwynedd Council’s Head of Environment Dafydd Wyn Williams, said: “We fully acknowledge the impact and disruption this situation has caused to local residents and traders. I am therefore very pleased that we have reached a situation where work can now begin on the site, with a view of re-opening this section of the High Street to traffic as soon as possible.
“We will be asking for updates and greater certainty on the timetable as the work progresses.”
John Evans from Engineers EWP working on behalf of the building owners, said: “We are now in a position to commence further preparations to undertake the demolition of the two properties with work starting on site next week. We would like to thank insurers, local residents and businesses, services providers, Bangor City Council and Gwynedd Council for their cooperation and assistance in enabling this work to commence.
“The condition and position of the fire damaged properties, poor ground conditions and congested services has necessitated significant investigation and risk mitigation measures to be put in place. We will be in close contact with Gwynedd Council throughout the works to update on progress.”
