All-clear given over chimney

9:39 am on 7 July 2011

Staff at Christchurch hospital have been given the all-clear to return to their offices after concerns about the safety of a chimney stack there.

A routine check on Monday led to a cordon being put in place. Further checks were carried out on Wednesday.

Canterbury District Health Board says it is confident the potential problem is isolated to a small area and surrounding buildings are safe to occupy.

Engineers removed sections of the outer shell of the chimney stack, which is part of the coal-fire system that provides steam and heat to the hospital continuously.

Part of St Asaph Street is closed to traffic, as a crane remains near the chimney.