A NORTH-East local authority has revised plans for a £1.7 million project to improve a major walking and cycling route into the town centre following public consultation.

The plan for the route, which is on Woodland Road, Outram Street and Duke Street, is the first phase of a project to create a safe route for pedestrians and cyclists from West Park to the Town Centre via Cockerton.

Darlington Borough Council say the plans were broadly welcomed as a good way to improve safety in the area with people saying they would be more likely to walk and cycle on the new route.

The 1.7m government funded project will see a 20mph speed limit on Duke Street which will become one way.

Winston Street car-park is set to reopen to increase parking in the area and there will be extra green spaces and tree planting.

Raised cycle paths will be installed along the route to make it as safe as possible for cyclists.

The Tees Valley Combined Authority worked with five different authorities to develop a Tees Valley Local Cycling and Walking Investment Plan.

Dave Winstanley, assistant director of transport and capital projects, said: “We are very grateful to everyone who has had their say on the plans and we have changed the proposal to reflect some of the views expressed.

"We will be speaking to businesses in the area about the new plans so they can understand the decisions we have made in drawing up the plans.

“It is important for our health, the environment and the economy to make it easier for people to use alternative forms of transport to get to the town centre and it was good to hear that more people would be willing to walk or cycle once the route is complete.”

“Whilst we will do everything we can to minimise disruption, we know that the construction work will cause noise, dust and inconvenience for local people and businesses, for which we apologise.

"The town centre management team is developing a programme of events and activities to continue to support the businesses in Duke Street and will liaise with them throughout the construction period.”  

According to the council, consultation for the proposals took place between December 14 2020 and February 3 2021, and they received wide ranging views from local residents, businesses and key stakeholders.

The council continued to say that "The next stage is to advertise the Traffic Regulation Orders and then subject to the outcome of that process construct the scheme between June 2021 and April 2022."