Leek New Road in Stoke-on-Trent has reopened after an emergency closure lasting around 24 hours. The road, between Spa Street and Stanway Avenue, was shut late on Monday 12 October after the roof and frontage of a privately owned building were found to be unstable and leaning over the carriageway.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council's Dangerous Structures and Highways teams worked with Baskervilles Demolition and MTC Crane Hire to remove the immediate risk. The road reopened on the evening of Tuesday 13 October.
Legal process for dangerous structures on private land
When a dangerous structure sits on privately owned land, the council must follow a set legal process, including serving appropriate notices and ensuring any action it takes is lawful and proportionate. The council cannot simply demolish a building without taking these steps first.
The council acted under its emergency powers in the Building Act 1984. It has been unable to contact the owner of the building and is continuing to pursue them over its condition.
Council statement
Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for growth, regeneration and transport at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: "I want to thank our Dangerous Structures and Highways teams, and Baskervilles Demolition and MTC Crane Hire, for the speed they worked at. Getting a main road like this open again in about 24 hours is a real credit to them.
"I know how frustrating a closure on that route is, and I understand why people wanted the building dealt with on the spot. When a dangerous structure is on private land there is a legal process we have to follow, and we cannot knock a building down without taking the proper steps first.
"Our job throughout was to keep people safe and keep the disruption as short as we could. We are still trying to reach the owner, and we will keep pressing on the state of the building."