Bangor High Street Demolition work likely to take ‘several months’

Part of Bangor High Street is likely to remain closed to traffic for several more months following a fire that destroyed two shops last December.

Noodle One and the adjoining Morgan Clothes shop were destroyed by the fire on 17th December 2019 and scaffolding has remained in place ever since to support the buildings, which are in danger of collapse.

The section of road between Bangor Cathedral and Lon Pobty has remained closed to traffic for the last six months with a diversion in place and although open to pedestrians, the road closure has had a detrimental effect on businesses in the area.

The responsibility for the demolition of the existing buildings is now devolved to those employed by the building owners, but in addition to the problems with Covid-19, the project has been beset by several delays caused by the requirement to obtain statutory consents, tendering the demolition works, carrying out building condition surveys, road and footway excavations and inspections, as well as addressing the inadequate and defective drainage and sewage system under the road‘ – a 200 tonne crane will also need to be sited before the demolition can begin.

A letter has now been sent to business owners from Gwynedd Council updating them on the latest situation. The letter said: “Further to visiting the businesses in the Pendref area of Bangor in March, the current circumstances with respect to Covid19 is of course having an effect on businesses throughout the County. However, we wanted to contact you with an update of the situation in your area, as we of course appreciate the situation, following the fire, makes your circumstances extremely challenging.

“As you are aware following the fire on 17th December 2019, Gwynedd Council acted promptly to ensure the safety of the public, and has undertaken considerable work in organising a structural scaffold to support 164 and 166 High Street, Bangor. The fire caused substantial damage to both properties and, in accordance with our statutory responsibility, the Council has ensured that the site is safe and does not pose a risk to the general public.

“Due to the size of scaffolding required, the adjoining road leading to the Pendref section of the High Street has been temporarily closed to traffic. Since then, the Council has ensured that a safe and practical traffic management arrangement is in place and has been closely monitoring the situation.

“Our colleagues in the Environment Department advise us that the original road closure licence came into effect on 9th January 2020 for a period of 6 months, with the expiry of the current closure due to be midnight on the 8th June 2020. On this basis, an extension is required if the works cannot be completed before the expiry date.

“It should be emphasised that responsibility for the management of this present phase of demolishing the existing buildings is by those employed by the building owners. The complex work programme for the demolition is outside the Council’s remit. Where possible our officers have been assisting the contractors and engineers leading on the demolition works on behalf of the owners of 164 and 166 High Street, and it is clear from their work programme that this is proving to be far more challenging and complicated than originally envisaged.

“We are advised by Evans Wolfenden Partnership (EWP), who are leading on the demolition works, that their current work programme is focussed on addressing a number of considerations before the demolition works takes place.

“These considerations are related to the need to obtain statutory consents, tendering the demolition works, carrying out building condition surveys, road and footway excavations and inspections, as well as addressing the inadequate and defective drainage and sewage system under the road.

“These will all need to take place to accommodate the 200 tonne crane on site and an application for a further road closure licence will be required. As I’m sure you will appreciate, the Covid-19 pandemic has a considerable impact on the challenging work programme for the engineers working on behalf of the owners. While Council Officers from the Environment Department continue to assist the contractors and engineers with obtaining the necessary permissions and consents, it is anticipated that the road will not reopen for some months.

“We can therefore emphasise that, as a Council, we are assisting as much as possible and will continue to communicate with any updates that we have. Officers will also continue to work closely with our partners at Bangor BID and City Council to highlight and signpost all financial support that is available to businesses during this challenging time.”