North Street in Midhurst, near Chichester, may be reopened again in seven weeks after a contractor was appointed on site. The road, which is one of the main roads in the town, has been closed since mid-March following a devastating fire at the Angel Inn Hotel which has made the front of the building a safety concern.
Since the fire, a portion of North Street has been closed, with residents and visitors having to follow a signed diversion route. It has been noted by locals that this has had a significant impact on businesses in the area, with many of them losing income as less people visit the town.
However, it was confirmed last week that the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) has appointed a contractor to ensure the “fire-damaged listed buildings” are safe and “legally secured”, which needs to be done before the road can be re-opened in both directions. The buildings could not just be knocked down as they are listed buildings and it is a legal requirement to save them where possible.
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Since the contractor was appointed, they have been on site in Midhurst and say the work should take “seven weeks” to complete. This is said to be the “fastest option” available to re-open the road safely.
While the road has been closed, a multi-agency approach has been developed for the town, with a number of authorities involved. Local councils have tried to help businesses by issuing grants and allowing for periods of free parking in the town to encourage shoppers back onto the main street.
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