A £1.3m plus scheme to rejuvenate Bowes Street in Blyth town centre is about to get underway. Wanley Street and Church Street will also benefit from the public realm investment which will include new paving, wider footpaths, and improved lighting.
The majority of the funding is coming from the Government who are contributing £750,000 and Northumberland County Council who have made £455,000 available.
Blyth Valley MP, Ian Levy said: “Bowes Street and the surrounding streets have great potential but have been held back by the poor condition of the public realm.
“I was asked last year for schemes of this type that could be brought forward and had no hesitation in suggesting this area for investment which had been talked about for a long time with no action.
“Thanks to the Government funding and the generous backing from the County Council a project will be delivered on a scale that will make a huge difference for businesses and for shoppers.”
Councillor Richard Wearmouth is the lead from the County Council and added: “This project is the beginning of a number of initiatives to improve the sustainability of the town centre.
“Preliminary works will start in the next few days with the full scheme completed by early next year. The extra funding from the County Council increased the scope and means it will properly tie in with further investment.
“This includes delivery of the £11.1m Future High Streets scheme for the town centre with the funding agreed by the Government and detailed plans being developed.”
The £750,000 for Bowes Street is a slice of the £80m pot of funding that was brought forward by the Government from the £3.6bn Towns Fund. The intention is to provide an economic boost as part of the overall recovery plan from coronavirus.
