Winsford regeneration - Relocation of war memorials begins

Work to refurbish and relocate Winsford’s two town centre war memorials got underway today (February 19).

The memorials will be carefully dismantled, cleaned, restored and reassembled using specialist equipment.

They will be relocated to a new public square in front of the Winsford Library, as part of the town’s £22.5 million regeneration,

Cheshire West and Chester councillor Nathan Pardoe said: “I am delighted that work has now started to refurbish and relocate the war memorials and relocate the benches as part CWAC’s regeneration works.

“They will be part of the new town centre public square, which will be a better environment for people to pay their respects and be a fitting tribute to all those who served.

“The new public square will be a space Winsford can be proud of, particularly during the well-attended Remembrance Sunday service.”

Work on the relocation began on Monday (February 19) (Image: Newsquest)

Councillor Pardoe, cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, Regeneration and Digital Transformation, added: “Until now, CWAC has been able to maintain safe access to the memorials during construction works because of their importance to the town.

“While the refurbishment and relocation takes place access will not be possible, but this work will be completed later this year ahead of a rededication service for the war memorials in the summer.”

An experienced restoration specialist and a stonemason will carry out the refurbishment, under the supervision of Kier Construction.

Some elements, such as the bronze plaques, will be sent away for specialist cleaning and restoration and other, damaged, sections will be rebuilt using new stone.

The relocation will be complicated later this year, with plans in the pipeline for a rededication service in the summer.

Sarah Morton, regional director for Kier Construction North & Scotland said: “We know how important and significant these war memorials are to the local community in Winsford.

“We are really pleased to be able to start works on their refurbishment and relocation to help improve access and create a better space for people to pay their respects to those who gave service and made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.”

The works are being supervised by Kier Construction (Image: Newsquest)

The works form part of Winsford town centre’s regeneration project, which will see the creation of new and improved spaces for businesses, a 168-space car park, new public and green spaces, and improvements to walking and cycling facilities.

One of the new units will soon be handed over to Costa for its fit-out while work on the B&M superstore’s steel structure is expected to begin in late spring/early winter once all groundwork and foundations are complete.

Meanwhile, as part of the works on the car park area, new temporary pedestrian walkways will be put in place in the coming weeks.

These new routes will be fully signposted to make sure that people can still easily visit the shopping centre, Winsford Market, Asda, Vale House Resource Centre and Winsford Library.