Good progress is being made on a major public realm improvement scheme to revitalise Hexham’s historic town centre. 

 

The work is being managed by the county council, and is focussing on the key corridor of Priestpopple, Cattle Market and Battle Hill.  

 

The improvement work is part of over £2.4m investment which has boosted the town centre through the Hexham High Streets Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) delivered by Northumberland County Council in partnership with Historic England.  

The HSHAZ aims to make the town a more attractive, engaging and vibrant place for people to live, work and visit, while also enhancing the Conservation Area status of the town centre.    

The scheme is now 10 weeks in and on track for completion in Spring 2024. 

 

Paving works are well underway on the south side of the scheme area at the top of Battle Hill and in the central part of Priestpopple with some sections now complete and in use. 

 

Over the next month the taxi rank will be moved back to its normal location and paving works around the phone box area will be completed. Works to footways will continue east and west, all on the south side, with two teams working on site to progress construction as rapidly as possible 

 

It is still anticipated that construction works will be suspended in the run up to Christmas and re-start in January. 

 

Northumberland County Councillor Wojciech Ploszaj, cabinet member for Supporting Business and Opportunities said:  

 

“Businesses have been very accommodating during the works and we once again thank both residents and businesses for their patience and understanding whilst this important work is carried out to improve their town.” 

 

“The feedback we have received from the public about the improvements that have been completed so far have been extremely positive.” 

 

Jules Brown from Historic England added: 

“It’s great to see progress on this major investment complimenting work to date through the HSHAZ initiative. When completed, it will make this part of Hexham a more distinctive place to work and visit and improve the town centre for everyone.”