THE next phase of a £500,000 scheme to spruce up Yarm High Street begins this week.

Stockton Borough Council said all improvements to the north of Yarm's town hall were now complete and work begins to the south this week.

Works began in April an d is expected to be complete by the end of July.

But the plans have been controversial, with a "Save Our Cobbles" protest by objectors last month. The cobbles near the town hall are being replaced with a stone surface.

Yarm Residents' Association has spoken out against the plans, likening the replacement of the historic cobbles to vandalism.

But the council has said the cobbles were in a poor state and needed regular replacement due to the extensive damage from high levels of traffic around the town hall.

The work includes:

*Taking up the cobbles around the town hall, disabled toilet and war memorial and paving the area with Yorkshire stone, with some granite setts;

*Upgrading the pelican crossings;

*New floodlights to illuminate the town hall at night;

*New bus shelters on the High Street.

Stockton Council’s Cabinet member for Regeneration and Transport, Councillor Mike Smith, said: “It is good to see this scheme progressing and I’m sure that people who work, live and visit Yarm will all benefit from the improvements when they are finished later this summer.

“All of the works are sympathetic to the High Street’s unique character and attractive environment. There will inevitably be some disruption but we will do all that we can to keep it to a minimum.”

It is hoped the work will be complete by the First World War commemorations in August.

Central Street will be closed on Sundays between June 8 and July 6 so the area between the High Street and the entrance to Central Street can be paved, and if bad weather affects works it may close on further Sundays in July. Traffic is being diverted via Mill Wynd. The pelican crossing near the town hall will also be closed, with a temporary stop nearby, and the bus stop near the Black Bull will be moved south temporarily, near the Lotus Lounge.

Earlier this year the old 1980s-style street lights were replaced with updated lighting designed to be more in keeping with the character of the town.

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