Residents and businesses in Bishop Auckland are being handed a major boost with the creation of hundreds of new car parking spaces.
Durham County Council is set to invest around £800,000 in more than doubling the size of the Bondgate car park, which is in a key location near the Market Place. The major investment will increase the car park’s current 170 spaces to around 400 spaces and it is hoped that work will commence in 2015.
It is the latest in a series of investments in the regeneration of town centres in County Durham.
Cllr Neil Foster, Cabinet member for economic regeneration said, “We have listened to concerns raised by small businesses and the public about car parking in Bishop Auckland.
“As a result this investment is a long term one into the town centre of Bishop Auckland. This will ensure that the needs of people visiting Bishop Auckland’s businesses and retailers in the town centre are firmly met.
“In addition, this investment will support Auckland Castle Trust in their exciting plans in the town centre by ensuring those visiting Auckland Castle can park their cars nearby. We hope that this major investment will ensure that visitors, whether local or from much further afield, will be able to park in good quality facilities and make the most of all the town has to offer.”
Durham County Council has initiated a number of programmes across the county as part of its support for Small Business Saturday. This includes ‘free after three’ parking throughout December in Durham County Council owned car parks.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
