Update - Church Street West to remain closed for public safety reasons

Church Street West in Radcliffe is still closed to motorists, and may remain closed for some time, after part of the former Radcliffe Times building fell down in the early hours of today.

Bury Council's building control team have been on site and declared the building unsafe, which means the road has had to be closed to through traffic from Spring Lane to Seymour Street. Vehicles are being diverted via Spring Lane – Water Street – Pilkington Way – Dale Street and vice versa.

Currently pedestrian access is being maintained on the north side of Church Street West (on the side of the health centre) but this will be reviewed on a half-hourly basis should the wind again increase.

Contractors for the building's owners are expected to be carrying out work this afternoon to remove the remaining and unsafe sections of the high level brickwork. Following the removal of the immediate danger, a structural survey of the remainder of the building will be carried out to determine the next steps. It may mean that Church Street West will need to remain closed beyond today.

ENDS

Issued: 11 January 2017.