DARLINGTON Borough Council is to delay a major development in a bid to help town centre traders this Christmas.

If approved, the authority’s ambitious Riverside Park project will mean a revamp of the River Skerne as it runs close to the new Feethams Leisure complex.

An overhaul of the area would improve the western bank of the Skerne to the rear of the Town Hall and would include walkways, tree planting, seated areas and a viewing platform.

A planning application in relation to the development would allow construction to begin later this year.

However, at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, September 14 councillors agreed to delay the Riverside Park project, subject to planning approval being agreed.

The delay to the commencement of the project until January 2017 will help implemented in a bid to avoid upheaval for traders over the festive season.

A report prepared said the delay was necessary to provide the maximum amount of parking space and to minimise disruption to pedestrians.

Cllr Chris McEwan said: “We want to avoid any disruption and it is not going to be well used in mid-winter. It is probably the right decision to delay it to avoid that disruption and to get the benefits of it in spring.”

The delay would mean that the Town Hall car park, scheduled to close as part of the development, remains open over the festive period.

Council leader Bill Dixon added: “The last two Christmases have been challenging for traders to say the least. Last Christmas we lost the Feethams car park before the multi-storey was open and that was difficult for them.

“The Town Hall car park is incredibly well used, especially in late afternoon.

“There’s not much point opening a park in the middle of winter – we might as well wait until May in time for spring and, at the same time, give traders a boost.

“We are giving a clear heads-up to traders that we will play our part and it is up to them to stay open later than normal as they will have the opportunity to attract shoppers who can park from October at a competitive price.”

Cabinet members also agreed festive car parking discounts, which will include a “free after 3pm” offer on the four Thursdays prior to Christmas in off-street council car parks and on-street bays.

From October until the end of November, there will be no parking charges after 5pm in the same car parks and bays.

No parking charges will apply on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day