Plans for Durham’s Market Place have again come under fire as work is about to begin. Mark Tallentire reports.

A MULTI-MILLION pound market place makeover will finally get under way later this month, it has been announced.

Contractors Carillion will begin work on Durham Market Place, as part of the controversial £5.25m Heart of the City scheme, on Monday.

Officials from regeneration body Durham City Vision (DCV) released the timetable for the project, best known for plans to move the Lord Londonderry statue, yesterday.

Project manager Clare James said it was great to get started and she hoped residents would be patient during the work, as the results would be “fantastic”.

However, the announcement came as a charity for the blind claimed the plans were an accident waiting to happen.

Pedestrian areas and roads in the Market Place will be on the same level, without raised kerbs.

The County Durham Society for the Blind and Partially Sighted said visually-impaired people need kerbs to know where roads begin.

Volunteer co-ordinator Carol McAllister said: “The potential is that blind and partially-sighted people could step onto the road. It’s an accident waiting to happen.”

Ms James said DCV had listened to all user groups, resulting in a number of changes. Pavement edges would be marked by a black kerb laid level with other surfacing, she said.

Scheme backers claim it is vital for the future of the city and Durham Cathedral and Castle World Heritage Site.

Councillor Neil Foster, Durham County Council cabinet member for regeneration, said: “I am extremely pleased to see work on the Heart of the City scheme now beginning.

“This is an important project that will make a massive difference for everyone who visits the city, as well as those who live and work there.

“I would like to thank everyone for their patience up to this point and would ask that they continue to bear with us while the work is on-going, as I am sure the finished scheme will be well worth waiting for.”

Among the early work will be locating underground utility lines, filling disused underground toilets with concrete and removing the Lord Londonderry plinth for repair.

Work on the Market Place will take place in phases. It is hoped all work will be completed by February next year.