Chichester Cathedral: Road closures lifted after 'significant amount of smoke' seen billowing from landmark

Emergency services held a large training exercise in Chichester on Monday (May 20).

During this time, several road closures were in place from 7pm until 11pm with limited access for residents.

Ahead of the exercise, a spokesperson for West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said: “Firefighters will simulate a major fire at Chichester Cathedral, and there will be a significant amount of smoke issuing from the landmark.

“This will test the emergency procedures that are currently in place for incidents involving the cathedral.

“Partner agencies (including Sussex Police, South East Coast Ambulance Service and West Sussex Highways) will immerse themselves in a real-life operational situation and work together to resolve the training scenario.”

Residents were invited to come along during the training exercise and ‘watch the exercise unfold’.

The best viewing points were found at the city cross (East Street side, in front of HSBC bank) and in front of the old House of Fraser building. Safety cordons were in place.

The road closures, in place from 7pm until 11.30pm were:

– Junction of Canal Place and Canal Wharf, round to Basin Road (access to Kingsham Road);

– Avenue De Chartres (westbound);

– Basin road junction towards Kingsham Road;

– Bus station to Southgate (access only to Brampton Court Care Home, the rail station car park and Smith and Weston);

Temporary closures, no later than 8pm, were also in place at:

– The junction of Terminus Road (leading to railway);

– Avenue De Chartres (eastbound);

– South Street (access to the cross)

Police officers were on-hand to advise those who needed access a road that was closed, but people were asked to try to make ‘alternative arrangements’ when ‘travelling privately’ during these times. Public transport ran as normal.

The fire service spokesperson added: “Fire crews will be utilising the water supply at Chichester Canal, which will see a lot of emergency service vehicles in the area. This level of preparedness is in place using lessons learnt from the Notre Dame fire.

“We will be closing the roads for everyone’s safety, but police officers will be on-hand to advise should you need to access a road that is closed.”

In response to the question if nesting peregrines were affected by the exercise, the spokesperson said: “We would like to reassure residents that, as guided by ornithological experts, fire crews will be working away from the North East turret of the cathedral where it is believed that the peregrines are nesting this year, and only synthetic smoke will be used.

"Synthetic smoke is completely safe and will not cause the protected species any issues or discomfort.

“It is of upmost importance to both West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service and Chichester Cathedral that the peregrines remain safe, happy and undisturbed, particularly during their breeding season.

"Therefore, West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service remains in constant communication with the necessary stakeholders (such as Chichester Cathedral, the Sussex Ornithological Society and local wildlife enthusiasts), ensuring that the falcons welfare is of greatest importance.”