Anti-terrorism bollards to be installed at Chester Racecourse
Chester racecourse - the world's oldest operational racecourse. Established in 1539.
The Council is working with Chester Racecourse to enable them to install sockets for anti-terrorism bollards on roads around the venue.
On race and other event days the bollards will be placed into the sockets to support the necessary road closures. The installation of the bollards will result in the reduction of disruption to residents and motorists on event days, as the roads will need to be closed for a much shorter length of time than they are currently.
The bollards replace the hostile vehicle protection system (HVM) already in use by the racecourse.
There is no intelligence to suggest that there is a specific threat posed to the Racecourse. However, the vehicle security bollards will prevent a hostile vehicle or accidental vehicle from entering the crowded pedestrian areas. The bollards aim to protect the area from a vehicle as a weapon attack.
The work is scheduled to begin in April and will require several road closures while the work takes place.
Vehicle security bollards have already been installed across Chester city centre to protect large crowds during public events and busy shopping days.
Councillor Karen Shore, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Highways, said:
Not only will the bollards protect racecourse visitors in crowded areas on race days, but they will mean road closures on race days can be implemented and removed much more quickly. So there will be less disruption in the city during race meetings. There will be some disruption with a number of road closures but the end result will mean smoother traffic movement in the city during race events.
Louise Stewart, Chester Race Company CEO, said:
Keeping our guests and the public safe is our number one priority. The installation of these sockets provides a more flexible, semi-permanent HVM security solution and reduces the significant time and impact that existing race day and event road closures have on the city and residents. We obviously recognise that there will be a little disruption to realise these long-term benefits, however we have worked closely with the Council’s highways team to ensure that all the necessary works are completed in the shortest possible timescale.
The roads affected at various times during the installation of the bollards are: Watergate Street, New Crane Street, Stanley Street, Nicholas Mews, Nuns Road, City Walls Road, Grey Friars and Black Friars.
Full details of the when these roads will be closed will be available on the Council’s website soon. Access will be maintained for residents.
This installation will be completed by the Council’s highways contractor, Colas, in partnership with Liverpool Civils. All costs for the project are being covered by Chester Racecourse.