Town centre enhancement project to begin next month

It will support the Treadmills retail and leisure development on the former prison site – and upgrade vital links between the high street and East Road, the main shopping area and the new development.

It is part of a joint £4.5m project for town centre improvements between Hambleton District Council and North Yorkshire County Council.

The project has received £3.2m from the Government’s Local Growth Fund, secured through the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership, with the remaining cost being borne by CNDCL (Central Northallerton Development Company), the developers of Treadmills, Northallerton BID and an element of match funding from Hambleton District Council.

The work will involve widening the pavements and narrowing the carriageway to single vehicle width, with loading, taxi and parking bays.

The pavements will be paved in York stone and five trees will be planted on the northern side of the pavements.

Improvements will also be made to two ginnels, New Row and Central Arcade. These are privately owned but are public rights of way. The ginnels will be surfaced in York Stone and the appearance of the boundary walls will be enhanced to make them more inviting to pedestrians.

Other work on East Road as part of the development involves moving an existing pedestrian crossing near to the Zetland Street junction to complete the link to Treadmills.

The public will be able to view drawings of the improvements and speak to council officers and the contractor at an event at the Joe Cornish Gallery in Zetland Street on 23 January. People can drop in between 2pm and 7pm.

“This scheme will improve accessibility between the High Street and Treadmills,” said Hambleton District Council deputy leader and chairman of CNDCL, Councillor Peter Wilkinson.

“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.”

Cllr Caroline Dickinson, County Councillor for Northallerton division, added: “The Treadmills development will be a boon to Northallerton, boosting what the town offers residents and making it even more attractive to visitors.

“It’s vital that we unify the whole of the town centre to give the best possible experience to all who use it. The improvements to Zetland Street and the ginnels are crucial to achieving this.

“I hope as many people as possible will take the opportunity to view the drawings and will feel as much pride in their town as those of us who are working together on this project.”

Work in Zetland Street is scheduled to begin on 10 February.