Work has officially begun on the first of the projects intended to tranform Blyth town centre.
On Sunday, preparations began on Bowes Street in the Northumberland town as part of the £1.3m Northern Gateway Phase 1 Scheme.
This will be the first project in the 'Energising Blyth Regeneration Programme', the aim of which is to "revitalise the town centre", and will improve the look and feel of Bowes Street, Wanley Street and Church Street.
It will bring new paving, wider footpaths, on-street parking and improved lighting.
The road on Bowes Street will be upgraded, with improved cycling provision added and a one-way system put in place.
According to Northumberland County Council, the preliminary work is set to last a couple of days and will involve removing the existing brick planters along the eastern part of the street.
This will give access for the utility providers who will be doing further work over the next three months prior to the main construction starting.
The main works are expected to be complete by early 2022.
The project is a partnership scheme delivered and funded by Northumberland County Council, Blyth Town Council, with support from the Government's Accelerated Towns Fund.
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.”
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