Blyth's Bowes Street to re-open to traffic
25 Nov 2022 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news
Bowes Street in Blyth town centre will re-open to vehicles on Saturday 26th November.
This follows the completion of the latest stage of the works to improve Bowes Street, Church Street and Wanley Street as part of the £70m Energising Blyth Programme to grow, renew and connect the town.
The improvements to the area create a more welcoming, safe and accessible area include new paving, street furniture, wider footpaths, increased on-street parking and improved lighting.
On Bowes Street the road has now been significantly upgraded, including improved flood resilience measures in the area. The one-way system, west to east, along Bowes Street has been reintroduced, encouraging safe and sustainable transport in the area.
The west end of Bowes Street and Wanley Street continue to be constructed ahead of the overall scheme being completed in Spring 2023. Further street furniture including planters will be added throughout the scheme area during this period prior to spring planting of new floral displays on the street. Disruption will continue to be kept to a minimum with access maintained to all premises.
The project is being delivered by the County Council and funded in partnership through the Government's Accelerated Towns Fund and Blyth Town Council.
Councilor Wojciech Ploszaj, Cabinet Member for Business, said: “These street improvements are an important first step in delivering our ambitions to reinvigorate Blyth town centre making the area more welcoming and accessible for residents, visitors and businesses.
“I would like to thank local businesses and residents for their patience as we have delivered the scheme and I’m pleased to see the road re-open prior to the Christmas trading period.”
Alan Ferguson, Blyth Town Deal Board Chair and Owner of Fergusons Transport, said: “It's fantastic to see this project reach this important milestone with much bigger things to come over the next few years including culture, leisure, education and innovation projects which will continue to build Blyth’s first class reputation as the place for clean growth industry.”
Councilor Warren Taylor, Mayor of Blyth Town Council, said: “We’re really pleased that Bowes Street is re-opening it will breathe new life into a very important part of town. We are particularly glad to see that the street has been included in the Christmas lights supported by the Town Council ready for the festive trading period.“
Prior to Bowes Street re-opening, residents, businesses and workers in Blyth are also being invited to find out more about the plans for the new Culture Hub and Market Place.
Drop in events as part of the consultation on the Culture Hub and Market Place project are available in the new ‘Project Space’ in the Keel Row Shopping Centre between10am and 2pm on Saturday, 26th November.