A MAJOR scheme to refurbish the pavements in Stokesley town centre is now underway after a long campaign by residents, businesses and councillors.

North Yorkshire County Council has commissioned the work following years of campaigning by local people who believe the existing paving, which has deteriorated over a number of years, is unsightly and potentially dangerous.

The county council has agreed to spend almost £200,000 on refurbishment, and the work, which began earlier this month, will involve the replacement of most of the pavements in the High Street and surrounding the town hall.

“We are very pleased to see work begin on this important project,” said county councillor Bryn Griffiths, the divisional member for Stokesley. “The state of the existing pavements has long caused concern to local people and businesses; this refurbishment will be of great benefit to the town.”

“We got the paving under a heritage scheme a number of years ago but with each year’s snow and ice they were deteriorating.

“After a couple of bad winters added with regular uses of the council’s gritting treatment, the stone started flaking away after salt had got into the cracks and formed crystals - creating rough ground that makes it a hazard for pedestrians.

“It has been a long campaign of about five years to get them replaced, and has been a collaborative effort between residents and all the local councils.

“So far everybody is very pleased with the progress being made, and the Highways staff have been very good at keeping business owners up to date with what is happening.

“It will look a lot better once it is completed and it is a better quality of paving so it will withstand future winters – we have made big strides to make sure this does not happen again and Highways are on board and will use a different gritting treatment.”

While the work progresses there will inevitably be a certain amount of disruption, but the county council’s contractors will work hard to ensure that it is completed as quickly as possible, and with as little inconvenience as can be managed.

Cllr Griffiths added: “All being well, the footways will be completed in time for the annual Stokesley Show and Fair, and hopefully Bridge Road will also be completed next year.”