Please Bear right - No way through as repairs begin on historic building
Thou shalt not pass through one of Shrewsbury's prettiest streets as workers repair a historic building.
A blockade has been put in place to close off part of Fish Street to allow essential work to be done on the Grade II listed Bear Steps.
The building suffered significant damage to the timber frame when a vehicle crashed into it last summer. To enable the repairs to be carried out and for the building to be supported adequately, scaffolding will be put up across the width of Fish Street, which will replace the propping that was installed as an emergency measure when the defects were identified.
About 20 metres of the road is closed next to the building. Grope Lane remains open as well as the steps from Fish Street to St Alkmund’s Place, which run underneath Bear Steps.
It expected that the road will be shut until at least November due to the complexity of the work.
Steve Charmley, cabinet member for assets, economic growth and regeneration, said: “The councils’ Property Services Group is working closely with conservation architects and engineers to develop an appropriate design to be agreed with Historic England, with the repairs then carried out within a realistic timescale.
"We appreciate people’s understanding and cooperation whilst these essential repairs are carried out.”
Signage has been put in place by Shropshire Council’s highways team, and letters were due to be delivered to local residents and businesses in the vicinity of Fish Street to advise them about the work.
