CHESHIRE West and Chester Council hopes works to rectify ‘serious defects’ at Barons Quay will be completed this summer.
This comes after MP Mike Amesbury demanded action from Balfour Beatty, which built the shopping centre, after a number of issues were found there – just five years since it opened.
Cracks have appeared in glass panels at the travelator hall next to Asda and also an aluminium fin, which was part of the design, recently fell down.
Thankfully no-one was injured in the incident.
The service road in Weaver Way is also breaking up.
A spokesperson for Cheshire West and Chester Council said inspections and safety actions have been carried out.
They said: “The council is aware of the issues raised in Mike Amesbury’s letter to Balfour Beatty and is working with them to address the issues identified.
“While clearly disappointed that the problems have occurred, the council is working productively with Balfour Beatty to rectify the issues and hope to have them resolved over the coming months.
“Some of the materials required are on a long lead time but we still hope that the works will be complete during the summer.
“Meanwhile our officers, aided by professional advisors, have undertaken inspections of the site and taken action where necessary to ensure public safety.”
Mr Amesbury, who has been informed legal negotiations are ongoing between Balfour Beatty and Cheshire West and Chester Council, has recently written to the Balfour Beatty’s CEO Leo Quinn, calling for the defects to be fixed.
The MP does not believe such defects are acceptable in ‘a flagship development that is just five years old’.
In his letter, he wrote: “Just five years after the shopping centre opened in 2016, serious defects are emerging that are not only unsightly but potentially dangerous in some cases.
“The current situation is unacceptable and needs addressing immediately.”
A Balfour Beatty spokesperson previously said: “As a responsible contractor, we take such matters very seriously and since being made aware of the issues at the Barons Quay development, we have been working closely with Cheshire West and Chester Council to agree a programme of remedial works."
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