Repairs to Step Hill could cost over £1m

The cost of repairs to Step Hill, at the rear of Macclesfield Town Hall, have been estimated at a staggering £1,000,000.

Step Hill, also known as Footpath 53, runs between Churchside and Waters Green – adjacent to Sparrow Park.

The footpath was closed in 2009 after safety concerns were raised regarding the stability of the retaining walls.

Following a recent investigation the invasive plant Japanese Knotweed has been discovered, which has caused the entire stairway to become unstable.

Cheshire East Council is now proposing to keep the path closed for at least two more years while it attempts to treat and remove the knotweed.

In the meantime it will commence a programme of repairs to the walls.

One option being mooted is the installation of a series of anchors to stabilise the steps and walls.

The Council understand that costs are escalating – earlier this year estimated costs were running at £800,000.

Cost of repairs have now reached more than £1m – and this figure doesn’t include survey, design and legal costs.

There are also concerns that the repair may need to cover the wider Bunker Hill area, increasing the cost even further.

In a report to the council’s cabinet, Peter Bates, chief operating officer, said: “The scheme was originally based around the stability of the walls.

“However, it has been established, by carrying out stability analysis from the available ground investigation information, that the whole slope may be potentially unstable.”