Council says excavation by developer has ‘compromised integrity of ancient monument’

This article is more than 7 months old

This article is more than 7 months old

A section of the ancient walls around the city of Chester has collapsed after development work.

A spokesman for Cheshire West and Chester Council said part of the city walls, which were built by the Romans, collapsed on Thursday night after excavations carried out by a private developer “compromised the integrity of the ancient monument”.

No one was injured as a result of the collapse and investigations are under way to establish the exact cause.

The council spokesman said early indications appeared to show earth had been removed from the bottom of the walls and exposed a section of bare foundations.

The developer has now stopped work within the site, which is alongside the walls, to allow assessments to be done, the spokesman said.

The deputy council leader, Karen Shore, said: “The council is taking this situation very seriously and we will ensure that a thorough investigation is carried out. I am thankful that no-one has been hurt as a result of this collapse and our priority will continue to be public safety.”

The earliest surviving sections of the wall date back to 120AD.

The walls are also famous for archaic bylaw which states any Welshman loitering within the city walls after sunset may be killed by decapitation or shot with a longbow.