ONE of Europe’s largest military garrisons is set to get a £1.6m road upgrading programme following major investment in the area for housing and a town centre complex.

Catterick Garrison is receiving £1.2m funding from the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership, with the remaining £400,000 from the county council, with the aim to enable extensive development in the town.

The works, which are due to start in January, will provide much needed junction improvements along the A6136 to help create 1,900 new homes, hundreds of jobs - and key transport links with fast access to and from the A1 and the region’s major cities.

North Yorkshire County Council leader Carl Les said: “We want North Yorkshire to be a thriving county which adapts to a changing world and our priority is to provide leadership and work with our partners to deliver the necessary infrastructure investments.

“This major project will provide a package of road junction improvements along the A6136 corridor to improve traffic flow between the A1, Colburn and a modern Catterick Garrison town centre.

“The aim is to secure both housing and employment growth opportunities.”

The planned improvements are at the White Shops at the junction of Catterick Road, Byng Road and Horne Road, with a major upgrade of the signalised junction; Catterick Bridge, to change the priority at the junction; and a signal upgrade at Brompton-on-Swale Cross Roads.

Cllr Jimmy Wilson-Petch from Richmondshire District Council said: “These road improvements will both address known concerns of local communities and open up additional potential for further opportunities that will benefit our growing economy.”

David Dickson, chairman of the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Enterprise Partnership Infrastructure Board said: “The partnership is pleased to provide £1.2m of Local Growth Funding towards this important project, which will help to secure housing and employment growth in Catterick Garrison.

“Increasing the capacity of the A6136 will help to unlock future developments in the area and support Catterick Garrison’s potential to grow in the future.”

The county and district councils are holding a day-long drop-in session at Colburn Village Hall from 9am to 6pm tomorrow (August 20) for members of the local community who would like to learn more about the scheme. Officers will be on hand all day to answer questions.

Local residents and stakeholders unable to attend the drop-in session can send queries to area1.richmond@northyorks.gov.uk.