City Road



In 1848 on the opening of Chester Station a broad strip of open land extended from the frontage building to the canal. To the west of this area, 19th century housing development had spread only as far as Francis Street. To the east the Leadworks would have dominated along with the adjoining Georgian house for Mr Walker the proprietor (now known as Queen House). Between the leadworks and the site of City Road were the extensive private walled gardens to Queen House. These terminated in a long garden wall on the alignment of City Road but located some way to the east. Between Francis Street and the walled garden, Gerrard Street followed an alignment that appears to coincide with the present access road to the rear of properties on the western side of City Road. At this time it is noted to be a "footway to the City" and appears not to have been developed. City Road was laid out to create vistas of the Railway Station. At its opposite southern end there would have been an alignment to the proposed spire that would have completed the Catholic Church of St Werburghs. At an intermediate point the spire of the Methodist Central Hall located beside the canal at the most elevated part of street would have provided a similar intermediate focal point.

sources and links

 * [Chester Station Gateway Design Guide - March 2008]