The finish line is in sight for a major public realm improvement scheme to revitalise Hexham’s historic town centre, with work due to be completed in May 2024. 

 

In March, repaving work will move to a section of footway from the former Nat West Bank to Fore Street, opposite Eastgate junction. 

 

The construction area and fencing needed to protect the workforce and pedestrians will severely restrict junction access for vehicles to achieve the already tight turn into and out of Eastgate (B6306). 
 
A temporary road closure will therefore be introduced at Eastgate from 18 March for approximately three weeks and a diversion will be in operation during this time via the A695 Corbridge Road and the B6307 at Dilston before re-joining the B6306.  

 

The improvement work is part of over £3.5 m 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.  

It 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 work is focussing on the key corridor of Priestpopple, Cattle Market and Battle Hill.  
 

The public realm scheme includes enhancing pedestrian safety, introducing new planters and trees to ‘green’ the area. On-street parking has also been reconfigured to include an accessible parking bay, an electric vehicle charging point and wider bays.   

A total of 9 heritage buildings in the town centre have also been refurbished and revitalised with the help of building grants matched with private sector investment through the HSHAZ scheme.  

This has resulted in significant improvements to frontages and enabled vacant buildings to be brought back into use complementing the public realm scheme and overall streetscape. 

Councillor Wojciech Ploszaj, Cabinet Member for Supporting Business and Opportunities, said:  

“Businesses and residents have been very accommodating during the works to the town centre, and we once again thank them for their patience and understanding whilst this important work is carried out to make much needed improvements to this beautiful and historic town. 

“We apologise for the inconvenience but please bear with us. The finish line is just around the corner as we are now moving towards the final stage of work which is due to be completed in Spring.” 
 

Hexham High Streets Heritage Action Zone is part of a £95 million government-funded programme led by Historic England. It is designed to secure lasting improvements and rejuvenate historic high streets. The programme ends in March 2024. 
 

The council is also giving advance notice of road resurfacing work that will be carried out at the end of the public realm scheme. This will require a temporary evening closure of Eastgate (B6306) from 6pm on 7th May which will be in place for up to four consecutive evenings until the road is fully surfaced.