SIX months of roadworks on a city centre high street are due to start on Monday [October 3].

The major scheme for North Road in Durham City will see a new road layout aimed at improving traffic flow, new paving and a new road surface.

The initiative is part of Durham County Council’s £1.84m programme to upgrade roads and footpaths around the city over the next two years.

Cllr Brian Stephens, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, said: “Along with the construction of the new Riverwalk complex, these works will see a massive improvement to this part of the city.

“Our consultation with retailers and businesses in the area made it clear that they are keen for this work to start as soon as possible so I am pleased that we are able to get started next week.”

North Road, which links Durham’s bus and train station with the city’s main shopping and tourist area, is used by large numbers of buses and delivery vehicles which have caused damage to the paving.

Intermittent repairs, alongside regular utility works, have resulted in the pavement having an a patchwork appearance. It is due to be replaced with a stone surface.

The work will also see the road realigned and damaged rumble strips removed

Part of the road will be closed to traffic during the work but pedestrians will still be able to access all shops and businesses.

Work will take place outside one or two businesses at a time and signed diversions will be in place where necessary.

Buses that normally travel along the one-way section of the street, at the opposite end to the bus station, will be diverted back up North Road to the roundabout and towards Milburngate Bridge while the work to realign the road is carried out.

Temporary bus stops will be in place outside the bus station and at the Methodist Church.

Bus stops on Milburngate, opposite The Gates, will be suspended.

The taxi rank on North Road will be temporarily relocated further up the road, opposite Neville Street, with an additional rank in place opposite The Gates on Milburngate.

Work begins on Monday, October 3 and is expected to take six months to complete, including a break over Christmas.