SEDGEFIELD Borough Council's contribution towards an environmental improvement scheme for Ferryhill Station should be under way in the next few weeks.

Officers will this week ask cabinet members to approve releasing £25,000 for The Gateway Scheme, designed to enhance the northern entrance to Ferryhill Station.

The scheme is a joint project between the borough council and Durham County Council, with assistance from the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) programme. Most of the work concerns road improvements, most of which have already begun, carried out by the county council.

They involve providing a mini-roundabout at the junction of Croft Gardens and the main road connecting Ferryhill and Bishop Middleham.

Surrounding footpaths will be repaved, better quality materials will be used in bus lay-bys and there will be two bus shelters provided and maintained free of charge by Adshel.

A report to the borough council's cabinet this week says: "In order to regularise pedestrian crossings it is proposed to install good quality metal railings at strategic locations, complemented by good quality seating, litter bins, banners and hard and soft landscape improvements.

"The borough council will implement these additional elements of the scheme."

The proposals were arrived at through extensive consultations in the community by Groundwork East Durham and the borough and county councils. Three Rivers Housing Group has also been involved.

The report says: "The aim of the scheme is to create an attractive gateway into the area and a sense of arrival at this small settlement, where further enhancements are expected in the future."

Other financial contributions are being made by the county council - £58,000 under the Local Transport Plan - and a Single Regeneration Budget contribution of £25,000.