WORKS to repair a collapsed section of wall surrounding St Oswald's Church in Malpas will begin next week.

Malpas Parish Council has received an update from Cheshire West and Chester Council regarding the current state of repairs on the wall in Church Street, which collapsed during heavy rain at the start of the year.

The county council has confirmed that works to repair the wall will now begin on Monday, July 19 and will take approximately six weeks.

A spokesman for Malpas Parish Council said the county council were now ready to begin the programme of repairs.

"Following the collapse of a section of wall at St Oswald's Church, Malpas (after heavy storms) Cheshire West and Chester Council commissioned a structural engineer to inspect the boundary walls and provide advice on the repair work needed," said the spokesman.

"On the advice of the engineer two main stages of work will be undertaken – stage one is temporary works to make the wall safe and stage two is the permanent repair of the wall.

"There is currently a road closure in Church Street between Old Hall Street and Church Walk with a signed diversion route in place.

"Contractors have now been appointed and the temporary works are due to start on site on Monday, July 19.

"It is anticipated that the work will take approximately six weeks to complete and the work will be carried out Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 4.30pm with possible weekend working.

"Some of the work may generate noise.

"The time frame for completion assumes that there are no unexpected disruptions to the planned works.

"The aim is for the temporary repair to be completed and the traffic management be in place in time for the schools re-opening following the summer holidays.

"Cheshire West Council advise that they are now in a position to start preparing a program for the permanent repairs to the Wall, which will involve some future road closures, details of which will be provided when they are available."