Northallerton High Street renovation due to end in May

The scheme to repave and redesign the centre of Northallerton started on March 8 last year, with traffic lights restricting vehicles to travelling one way at a time.

There have been problems with groundworks and old drainage, and complaints from businesses and shops, as well as local residents and market traders because of the disruption and mess.

It was hoped it would be finished before the end of last year, but Hambleton District Council now say the estimated completion of the scheme is May.

Northallerton Town Council was told this week by county and district councillor Caroline Dickinson that work to lay the new York Stone paving on phase two of the three-phase scheme is continuing.

She said night work is being undertaken to allow the paving to be laid in the entrances to business premises between Santander and the Victoria Robson Bridal shop.

She added: “As a result of working throughout the evening and into the night there will be little or no activity on the High Street during the daytime for the duration of this work. Businesses and residents affected by the works have been notified.

“The paving works around the Market Cross is now complete and work is underway to replace the kerbs and channels. Once the block work on the tactile area near the pedestrian crossing is complete, work will start on resurfacing the parking bays. Night work has been undertaken to complete work on the uplighters and signage on the new pedestrian crossing.”

Cllr Dickinson said improvement work is also being carried out on the Katch ginnel, replacing existing tarmac with new paving between the High Street and Elder Road, which is being paid for by Hambleton council and Historic England.

In March, musicians have been booked to perform in High streets and market places across Hambleton district as part of work to support post–Covid recovery for communities and shopping centres. As part of that scheme, artists Matthew Smith, The Blackmarcs and The Forever Steel Band have been booked to perform in Northallerton's new town square on March 5, 19 and 26.

Cllr Dickinson said the performances should increase footfall, dwell time and visitor spend across the district.

Hambleton council said last year redevelopment in Northallerton has taken longer than expected because of the discovery of unforeseen ground conditions including old underground toilets, Victorian drainage and essential extra design work. They said they were confident the end result will be worth the wait with a reinvigorated High Street for both local residents and visitors to enjoy for many years to come.