A one-way system in Hexham is to be temporarily lifted from Saturday 2nd December so that traffic arrangements can return to normal during the Christmas trading period. 

 

The move to support residents and businesses during the run up to the busy festive period was a commitment made by the county council when town centre improvement works were being planned. 

 

The one-way system will be re-instated by Monday 8th January 2024 to enable the final phase of work to take place, focused on the north side of the street, and this is likely to remain until early Spring 2024. 

 

Once the scheme is complete the affected area will return to two-way traffic with no permanent change to highway arrangements. 

 

Hexham’s public realm improvement scheme aims to revitalise the historic town centre and is focussing on the key corridor of Priestpopple, Cattle Market and Battle Hill.  

 

Investments include upgrading paving materials, enhancing pedestrian safety, installing new planters and trees and re-configuring on-street parking to include an accessible parking bay, an electric vehicle charging point and wider bays. 

 

Work on the public realm scheme is progressing well and additional teams have been working on the south side of Priestpopple, Battle Hill and Cattle Market to ensure that it is completed as quickly as possible.  

 

The improvements are 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.    

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

 

“Christmas is always a really busy time so temporarily removing the one-way system during this period will make life easier for both traders and the public and help support local businesses. 

 

“We have made good progress on the scheme and it is great to see entire sections completed and looking significantly better than before. 

 

“We really appreciate the patience of residents and businesses. It’s not always easy but it is the only way to get the work done quickly and safely and bring much needed improvements to the streetscape of this beautiful and historic town.”  

 

In the New Year the works will move across to the north side and include increasing the pavement area in one section and introducing additional street trees to provide an enhanced public realm and space for seating outside some of the businesses.