Blacon

infobox England place|

  |Place=             Blacon
  |Population=        13,495 (2001 Census)
  |GridReference=     SJ385675
  |District=          Chester
  |County=            Cheshire
  |Region=            North West England
  |Ceremonial=        Cheshire 
  |Traditional=       Cheshire
  |PostalTown=        Chester
  |PostCode=          CH1
  |DiallingCode=      01244
  |Constituency=      City of Chester
  |Euro=              City of Chester
}}

Blacon is a housing estate situated to the north-west of Chester and, at one time, was one of the largest city council housing estates in Europe. Most of Blacon was built in the 1950s/1960s though further parts were added in the 1970s and 1980s. Blacon is situated just over one mile to the north-west of Chester

Blacon sits in a rural location with views across to the city centre of Chester, one and a half miles away. The area is built on what was previously, farming land, and if you take a 10 or 15 minute walk from any part of the estate, you are again in open countryside. Blacon suffers from some of the social ills that affect every large social housing complex, but maybe less so than some others, due to its rural setting. Today Blacon is home to a new Chester police station. It is also home to a secondary school, Blacon High School, and a large cemetery. It also has numerous primary schools including Highfield Community Primary and Dee Point Primary.

Blacon Station

Blacon Station was a part of the line between Chester Northgate and Hawarden Bridge. This line was later extended to reach Wrexham and Birkenhead. Blacon Station was opened on 31st March 1890 by the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway (later the Great Central Railway). The station included the Station Master's house and a brick goods warehouse. A "Cheap Day" return to Northgate Station would cost 6d compared to a bus fare of 9d return.

Although Blacon Station was at one time busy it eventually closed to passengers, followed some years later by the closing of the train line itself. A number of suggestions for use of the line were put forward. The Chester City Council proposed but eventually withdrew plans for a guided busway. Preparations were made instead for the construction of a cyclepath. Started in February 1999, the completed cyclepath has proven to be very popular with a wide range of people, from those looking for a leisurely walk to the local postman taking a shortcut to Blacon from Station Road. The cycle path also provides a link to the Deeside Industrial Park, allowing easy environmentally sound access, through running and cycling.

Kayleigh Ward murder

Blacon came to the centre of media attention from across the country over the Christmas of 1996, when nine-year-old Kayleigh Ward disappeared on her way home from school on 19 December - the last day of term. Her body was found washed up on the banks of the River Dee 2 months later, and a murder investigation was launched.

On 5 December 1997, a jury at Chester Crown Court convicted Kayleigh's neighbour, 32-year-old John O'Shaugnessey, of rape and murder. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a recommended minimum of 30 years - one of the lengthiest minimum terms ever imposed on a single murderer. As a result, he is likely to stay behind bars until at least 2027 and the age of 62.

Chester City Council

Blacon consists of two Chester City Council wards, Blacon Hall (pop. 7977) and Blacon Lodge (pop. 5518). Each ward elects three Councillors. All are currently Labour and are:-

Blacon Hall

• John Price, MBE, Deputy Leader of Council
• Judith Stainthorp
• Norman Stainthorp

Blacon Lodge

• Reggie Jones
• Marie Nelson
• Ethel Price

Cheshire County Council

Blacon has Labour representation on the County Council.

UK Parliament

Blacon, as part of the City of Chester constituency, is represented in the UK Parliament by Christine Russell

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