DEVELOPMENT work on a new council headquarters building is being ramped up – quite literally.

Contractors are working on a 70m long ramp which will guide customers into the Richmondshire District Council’s new building – Mercury House on Station Road, Richmond.

Once completed it will see an ingenious piece of design and construction realised. Builders not only had to contend with a 3m drop between road and building levels but had only 6m in width to create the U-shaped ramp.

The ramp will mean the new building will have full disabled access.

Councillor Linda Curran said: ”Access to Mercury House is vitally important. For the first time most of the services the council provides will be under one roof and fully accessible to both residents and staff.

“Although Dundas Street and the other community offices have been accessible to the public, opportunities to employ more disabled people have been restricted due to poor office accommodation.

“The ramp is a significant step forward and shows the council’s commitment to being open and accessible to all.”

Mercury House will open to the public later this year. Builders are expected to complete their work in July ready for the fit-out and move.

The £2m scheme will see the council in one building for the first time in its history – the former Richmond Lower School will replace the current buildings at Friars Wynd, Swale House, Frenchgate House and the Dundas Street community office.