A one-way street in Hexham will become two-way again in the New Year. 
 

Part of Gilesgate in the town centre has been only open to traffic in one direction for the past two years due to redevelopment work on the former swimming pool site. 
 

That stage of work is now coming to completion and while it was initially proposed to close the road to traffic over a 5 day period starting on 6th December to allow the building supports to be removed, these works have now been rescheduled for mid-January.   
 

This change to the timing of the road closure will avoid any risk of disruption for shoppers and businesses should the building works take longer than planned on the run-up to the busy festive period. 
 

Advance warning signs of the road closure are now being amended to reflect the new road closure date. During removal of the building supports in January, traffic access to Gilesgate carpark and the community centre will remain from the north, although pedestrian access will remain along the full length of Gilesgate up to Market Street throughout. 
 

Once the supports are down, the street will return to a two-way traffic flow and the return of some of the on-street parking currently occupied by the supports. 
 

Access to the rear of the Abbey from the Market Street end will also be maintained throughout. 
 

Paul Jones, Director of Local Services, said: “We’d like to thank everyone for their patience while these works have been taking place, and it was important the road is returned back to normal at the earliest opportunity. 
 

“Opening up the road again to two-way traffic will improve accessibility and the visual appearance of this area, but to allay traders’ concerns and avoid any risk of delays impacting Christmas shopping, the work has been rescheduled until early next year.”