Improvements to North Road in Durham City are due to start in October after a consultation with businesses on the high street.

As part of Durham County Council’s £1.84 million investment over the next two years to upgrade the roads and footpaths across the city, the North Road works will improve the look of the area as well as making it easier and safer to use for pedestrians. The timing of the works has been decided by the businesses on the street themselves after a request from the Durham Business Improvement District (BID).

This year major works are taking place on the main route through the city, to install the SCOOT traffic light system and upgrade Gilesgate and Leazes Bowl roundabouts to make journeys easier. In light of this Durham BID approached the council to ask that businesses be consulted on whether they would prefer that the improvements started shortly after the major works were completed or wait until next year.

Following an overwhelming 72 per cent of respondents asking for the work to start as soon as possible, the scheme is now set to get underway in early October.

Local Lib Dem councillor for the city centre David Freeman has welcomed the announcement, saying:

“The paving and highway in North Road have been in need of reinstatement for many years.

“Residents have been complaining to me about it and I have been urging the council to undertake a major scheme.

“North Road is the gateway to our city and at present gives a poor impression of Durham to visitors coming on the train or bus.”