Revamp to make town ‘vibrant place to live, work and to visit’
A project to revamp a seaside town is due to begin early in the New Year.
The final phase Durham County Council’s £1.6m Seaham Townscape Heritage Project – which is supported by funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund – is due to start on January 6.
Seymour Civil Engineering Contractors has been appointedtoundertakethework – which will start with the construction of new parking bays on and around the town’s Terrace Green.
During this time, the car parking area around Terrace Green will be closed for approximately four weeks and the next phase of the project includes the removal of the car parking bays at North Terrace and the widening and repaving of the footpath.
The council says businesses are set to benefit from the increased space on North Terrace, which will allow the opportunityforadditionaloutdoor seating for customers in the popular café culture in the area.
Cllr Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council’s cabinet memberforeconomyandpartnerships, said: “The Seaham Townscape Heritage Project is vital to the ongoing redevelopment of the area, and aimed at makingitanevenmorevibrant place to live, work and for people to visit.
“I’d like to take this opportunityinadvancetothankresidents and businesses for their
patiencewhilethisprogramme of work is carried out. When the work is completed, the enhancedfootpathswillmakethe area more accessible to everyone to visit and enjoy.”
The project aims to restore buildings and improve spaces in the Seaham conservation area and is part of the council’s towns and villages strategy.
The work has been programmed during the winter tominimisedisruptionduring peak visitor and retail trading times and is expected to take approximately 16 weeks.
Thecouncilsaysthat,while every effort has been made to minimise disruption, temporary traffic and pedestrian managementmeasureswillbe in place during the work.
Residents or businesses withanyconcernsaboutaccess during the works can contact the council’s project team on 03000 262007 or email seahamtownscapeheritage@durham.gov.uk
For further information on the Seaham Townscape HeritageProjectgotowww.durham. gov.uk/article/19357/SeahamTownscape-Heritage-Project