Durham City Vision
It's business as usual for Durham
1st July, 2010
The £5.5m ‘Heart of the City' regeneration scheme in Durham is now well underway and the message to everyone is that the city remains very much open for business throughout.
Recently traders and businesses got together for a photo shoot which is now featured on the back of all the Park & Ride busses aimed at making sure that residents and visitors know that it's business as usual while the essential works are completed.
Cllr Neil Foster board member for DCV says the scheme is on target,
"As you can imagine this is a complex project. Much of Durham's special character is based on its history and we are taking great care to make sure that, while essential improvements are made, the city's unique atmosphere is retained.
"Overall the project is on schedule. It began in February this year and will be completed early next year. We did look at the option of delivering the programme in one massive push, but that would have meant effectively shutting down large areas of the city for extended periods of time. Inevitably this would have been harmful to the businesses we are aiming to boost. Delivering the works in phases means we can move in and out of areas without stopping pedestrian access.
"We have, and will continue to work, extremely closely with retailers and businesses while the schedule is completed and we would like to thank everyone for their support and patience.
Amongst the essential improvements underway is the re-waterproofing Framwellgate Bridge. The surface has become porous so specialists are lifting the paving stones, applying a waterproof layer, and replacing them. This will be finished by the end of August.
Contractor, Carrillion, will then start work on replacing and reinforcing the damaged drainage system on Silver Street, which will stop the rainwater cascading down the pavements in wet weather and this work will be finished by the end of November.
The Market Place will be completely revamped providing a bigger area for outdoor events and better seating and the scheme will be complete by February next year. The majority of the paving in the Market Place will be completed before Christmas.
Work on Elvet Bridge will start this month and will be completed by the end of September. Preliminary work on Saddler Street will start in September with the main closure in October and completion in November.
The Vennels work will start in July through to the end in September and then the scheme for Claypath will take place between November and February.
Cllr Foster again,
"We realise, despite every effort being made, that there will be some disruption but I want to assure everyone that the new ‘Heart of the City' will be well worth it."
