THE most dramatic changes to an historic town centre in more than a century edged closer yesterday as council bosses revealed a massive revamp of traffic systems.

Shoppers will see the first major signs of the £6.5m "pedestrian heart" project in Darlington next month, when large volumes of traffic start to be directed away from the centre.

From Sunday, September 18, many bus stops will be moved and new services operating from them launched.

Disabled motorists, who hold blue badges, will also see their on-street parking areas changed.

Access to certain streets will be restricted for private vehicles and there will be no access to West Row and Prebend Row - north of Priestgate - at any time.

Changes will also come into force for delivery and service vehicles, as they will only be able to use certain streets before 10am and after 5pm, and will have to use designated loading bays in some areas.

The alterations are being made to enable contractors Birse Civils Limited to start the main work on the pedestrian heart project in November.

The scheme sparked huge controversy when it was first mooted, particularly as it involves the demolition of many Victorian features on High Row.

Darlington Civic Trust secured more than 4,600 signatures on a petition opposing the work and, after councillors approved the development, accused them of having no appreciation of the area's aesthetic qualities.

However, the local authority is now looking forward to pressing ahead with the scheme - and is planning a weekend of celebrations to mark the beginning of the work.

A series of events, to be announced at a later date, will take place from September 22 to 25 to celebrate the changes taking place.

The authority is also hoping to prepare residents and shoppers for the changes by including a four-page feature in the September edition of the Town Crier, and distributing 10,000 leaflets across the town.

The leaflet will include details on the traffic changes, including maps of the new bus stops and what services depart from them.

They can be picked up from council buildings, including the town hall, Dolphin Centre, tourist information centre and shops in the town centre.

Details will also be posted on bus stops that will be affected by the changes.

An announcement on changes to taxi rank locations will be made in the coming months.

Richard Alty, the council's assistant development and regeneration director, said: "This is a very significant stage in implementing what will be a major step forward for Darlington town centre.

"We confidently expect that there will be a lot more people wanting to shop in Darlington, bringing more trade, and more companies wanting to be here as a result."

He added: "We will need to keep remembering the huge benefits Darlington will reap, during the disruption that changes of this kind are likely to bring."

Restrictions on vehicles

DELIVERY vehicles' access will only be permitted before 10am and after 5pm in the following streets, where all vehicles must have left by 10am: Northgate; Crown Street between Northgate and Quebec Street; Prospect Place; Bondgate between Prospect Place and Abbotts Yard; Blackwellgate between Skinnergate and High Row; High Row; Post House Wynd.

Delivery access will only be permitted before 10am and after 5pm in the following streets (vehicles do not have to leave the street by 10am and can stay until delivery is complete): Duke Street between Raby Terrace and Skinnergate; Skinnergate.

Streets with prohibition of loading, where deliveries will be permitted in marked loading bays only, are: Quebec Street; Priestgate; Tubwell Row; Houndgate; Feethams; Bondgate, between Skinnergate and Abbotts Yard; Coniscliffe Road, between Grange Road and West Street; Crown Street, between Northgate and Quebec Street