PLANS to install a temporary road through a park which will be used by construction vehicles working at a North-East heritage site have been unveiled.
Three special briefings will be held this weekend to outline the alterations to Auckland Park, in Bishop Auckland, which will be in place while the multi-million pound restoration of Auckland Castle.
The alterations include the addition of a temporary haul road, designed specifically to minimise construction traffic passing through the Market Place, which will instead provide direct access to the castle from the A688 via Binchester and north via Dial Stob Hill.
Work on the road, made out of special protective matting, will begin in November, with the route expected to be in full use from January, until shortly before the castle reopens in May 2018.
Park users are being asked to be aware of tractors on the road during that time and to keep dogs on a lead within 20m of the track wherever possible as an extra precaution.
The road, which will not offer vehicular access for visitors or Auckland Castle Trust staff, will be entirely removed once the restoration of Auckland Castle is completed and any minor alterations made to the parkland will be reinstated at that time.
Liz Fisher, operations director at Auckland Castle Trust, said: “Auckland Park will remain open and free to access during the restoration of Auckland Castle, with the haul road affecting just a minor part of its 200 acres.
“While this work is essential to help minimise construction traffic running through the Market Place, we are working hard to minimise disruption and would appreciate the understanding of all park users during this time.”
Auckland Castle forms just one part of a wider masterplan to create a cultural hub in Bishop Auckland. It also includes the open air night show Kynren and the Zurbaran Centre for Spanish and Latin American Art.
The £70 million initiative is designed to stimulate economic regeneration in Bishop Auckland, by creating an art, faith and heritage destination of international significance.
Other projects include a welcome building at the entrance to the castle, Tickets for remaining shows are available at elevenarches.org or telephone 03333-003028.
Anyone wanting to know more about the haul road development in Auckland Park is being invited to attend a special briefing in the entrance lounge at the castle’s library tea room at 10am, 12pm or 2pm on Saturday, October 29.
These will be led by Liz Fisher and entry is free.
- For more information, email enquiries@aucklandcastle.org
- Further details about renovation at Auckland Castle can be found at aucklandcastle.org
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