Chimney collapse road still closed

THERE is “no confirmed timescale” on when Hexham’s Hallstile Bank will fully reopen, Northumberland County Council has confirmed.

- By DANIEL HALL

Homes and businesses on the street were evacuated after a chimney collapsed into a neighbouring property last Tuesday afternoon.

No one was in the upper floors of the property at the time of the collapse and there were no reported injuries. The council confirmed that the property owners are working with a structural engineer and contractors to make the buildings safe, which is essential before the road reopens.

However, the necessary works have been described as “complex” with the need to stabilise the buildings, remove any loose materials and make them watertight to prevent further damage, with “no timescale available” on how long that will take.

The footpath on the opposite side of Hallstile Bank has reopened to pedestrians, providing a welcome boost to local independent businesses such as Matthias Winter, Northside Tattooz, Sorella Hexham and Hair by Mantra.

Heras fencing was installed on Tuesday to protect pedestrians from falling debris following high winds during Storm Floris on Monday.