DURHAM University’s latest plans for a new building and footpath improvement are set to be unveiled.

It is the latest in a series of development being put forward by the university as it moves ahead with its 10-year strategy to expand student numbers to 21,500 by 2027.

The latest proposal is for a new building to house its mathematical sciences and computer science, which would be on the university’s Upper Mountjoy site.

A consultation event is being held on Thursday, April 26, when a new infrastructure project designed to improve footpaths, roads and car parking around Upper and Lower Mountjoy sites, will be revealed.

There have been long running problems around the area due to the volume of people getting too and from the university.

Chief operating officer Jane Robinson said: “These new developments are both exciting and necessary to support our growth and continued success.”

The changes include a new pedestrian route to the east of South Road, which would link Mount Oswald, where two new colleges are being built, and the New Inn junction, a second vehicular entrance via Hollingside Lane and a new car park at Upper Mountjoy.

Durham County Council is also attending the event to detail proposals to widen the footpath in Church Street – to three metres in places – by reducing the width of the road.

There would also be changes to parking on the street, the relocation of a bus stop and some changes to the Boyd Street junction.

Details of planned improvements to the New Inn junction will also be on show.

Dave Wafer, the council’s strategic traffic manager, said: “The footpath on Church Street is very narrow and given the sheer number of pedestrians who use it, we have come up with these proposals which would see it widened.

“We would encourage people to come along and find out more about what we are looking to do.”

The public exhibition will be held at the Palatine Centre, Stockton Road, from 12pm to 7pm.

Another community engagement forum, for people to have their say on the university’s expansion, is taking place on Thursday, from 5.30pm-8pm at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Frankland Lane.