MAJOR plans to improve a 'vital' link between a town centre and a new multi-million pound shopping complex have been released.

Plans for the restructuring of a main road linking Northallerton's High Street to the new £17m Treadmills leisure scheme will go on display to the public later this month.

As part of a £4.5m upgrade between Hambleton District Council and North Yorkshire County Council, plans reveal Zetland Street will be restructured and reduced to support one lane of one-way traffic only.

Blueprints, which also involve the widening of footpaths paved from York stone, include full refurbishment to ginnels on New Row and Central Arcade and several trees planted for visual appeal.

Darlington and Stockton Times:

The view from the other side showing where the Treadmills development is being built Picture: GOOGLE

Once complete, it is expected that access between the high street and shopping complex will be improved.

Deputy leader of Hambleton District Council, Cllr Peter Wilkinson, said: “This scheme will improve accessibility between the High Street and Treadmills."

Built on the former Northallerton prison, the scheme is expected to bring with it a new boutique cinema, restaurants and shops by the end of 2020.

Cllr Wilkinson said: “The prison was in the town for two centuries but it never generated much traffic or footfall – all that will change once it’s redeveloped.

"We want there to be strong connections between the town centre and this development and for road and pedestrian movements to be vastly improved.

"This scheme will do just that and will encourage people to come to visit and explore our market town.”

As part of the development, work will be carried out on East Road and a pedestrian crossing will be placed near to the Zetland Street junction to 'complete' the link to Treadmills.

Plans will be shown at the Joe Cornish Gallery on Zetland Street on Thursday, January 23 between 2pm and 7pm. The council said work was scheduled to begin on February 10.