Voluntary evacuation order lifted in Chester over landslide risk

The Municipality of Chester has lifted the voluntary evacuation order it issued Thursday night for people on Walker Road and Simons Point Road over a landslide risk.

On Friday morning, the trail above Walker Road was inspected, according to a news release from the municipality. The inspection found no marked difference from conditions observed Thursday night. The municipality says a geotechnical engineer will survey the trail and a stabilization plan will be developed from that survey.

Residents are being advised to use caution when travelling on the roads and watch out for debris and minor washouts. The trails in the area remain closed. 

On Thursday, people in the area were asked to voluntarily leave "due to the destabilization of the trail above their homes."

"Geotechnical engineer assessment revealed that the amount of rainfall predicted for the next couple of days will not pose an immediate risk to life or property on Walker Road or Simons Point Road," the municipality said in an update on social media.

Tara Maguire, chief administrative officer with the Municipality of Chester, told CBC News Thursday that 30 residential properties in the area were notified. She said during heavy rain and flooding last weekend there were two residential roads downhill from a section of the Chester Connection Trail that gave way.

With heavy rain in the forecast for Thursday evening, Maguire said there was concern that more land could move.

"We could get some additional washouts or blockage of the road, and just concerned for some of those structures there," she said.

Maguire said the voluntary order was issued out of an abundance of caution.

"The primary concern right now is really damage to the homes and the structures [and] making sure that we're taking care for life safety issues," she said.

While an old stone bridge on Victoria Road is out of service, Maguire said people are still able to leave via Highway 3.