Road to stay closed as church inspects fallen stone

Highcross Street was closed on Saturday at about 17:20 BST

A road will remain closed while a structural survey is carried out after a decorative stone fell from a church in Leicester city centre.

Highcross Street was closed between Vaughan Way and Sanvey Gate on Saturday at about 17:20 BST and remains shut over safety concerns near All Saints Church.

Leicester City Council said it had advised the owner of the building that a full structural survey would be needed before the road could safely be reopened.

The Churches Conservation Trust (CCT), which owns the church, confirmed a Vincent Van Gogh experience being held there was closed until further notice and said it was aiming to complete inspections of the building "as soon as possible".

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service previously said the closure could be lengthy while the All Saints Church building was made safe.

A city council spokesperson said: "In the meantime, drivers are advised to use Blackbird Road and Ravensbridge Drive as an alternative to Highcross Street.

"Signage is in place on Groby Road and Oxford Street warning drivers of the closure and alternatives available."

The CCT confirmed a decorative stone had fallen from the south corner of the church's west elevation on Saturday.

A spokesperson said: "It is thought that recent heavy rain and stormy weather may have saturated and weakened the exposed friable 15th Century stone and contributed to the sudden fall.

"[The] precautionary measures will remain in place until we have carried out a detailed and complete inspection of the high-level masonry."

Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience at the church will remained closed, and its organisers Exhibition Hub has said it will contact customers who made a booking.