County Councillor Liz Maddison has provided an update on activities.
Work is progressing well on Festival Walk with the pathway in front of the shops almost complete.
Notification has been received that a planning application has been submitted on behalf of Hellens Group to redevelop the Cheapside end of Festival Walk; Ref: DM/23/02933/FPA proposes the “demolition of 3 retail units, flat and elevated precinct walkway and redevelopment of site to public realm open space”. If this was to receive planning approval, work could start as soon as practicable and weather permitting, with a completion by end of 2024.
The £20m Government investment for Spennymoor is welcomed, particularly as we were not included in the levelling up funding project that was developed and submitted in 2021 for Bishop Auckland, Shildon and Newton Aycliffe for improvements to infrastructure – all part of Bishop Auckland Constituency and where I made representation at the time.
This £20m investment is indicated as over a 10 year period on an ‘endowment basis’ for which more information has been requested, particularly on Governance arrangements, as to how this funding will be allocated and projects considered and managed.
It is likely that a “Town Board’ made up of partner organisations and community representatives will be established similar to the Bishop Auckland model, but this detail is also awaited.
I have already submitted ideas that could benefit our local economy and add social value and be sustainable. Hopefully all suggestions will be considered from partners and our local community. Your input is also welcomed; please get in touch with us. This should not hold up any plans already in progress where finance has already been secured in this year’s budget.
We were out and about during and after Storm Babet, which brought a few trees down and left a lot of debris on our roads and footpaths.
Given the backlog of work this storm created, Highways and Clean and Green have responded quickly to the issues we reported.
Work has started on pathway improvements on the public right of way in the woods opposite Mayfields. The banks of the stream will also be shored up to make this a pleasant walking area.
Member Neighbourhood funding has been provided by Cllrs McAloon, Molloy and myself for this project, as well as Durham County and Spenymoor Town councils. The town council have agreed to maintain this path going forward. Work is expected to continue for eight weeks.
We continue to promote the Shop Front Improvement Scheme initiated by DCC that has benefited a lot of shop owners throughout the town.
Several more projects are in the pipeline.
At a recent Police and Communities Together (PACT) meeting we heard that the new initiative of warning notices in key areas of our town have already seen results.
Notices state that “anti-social use of motorised vehicles will lead to further action being taken and vehicles will be seized without further warning. Persuant to Police Reform Act S.29”. There have been 70 calls reporting anti-social behaviour this month, 66 related to off-road bikes. There have also been two burglaries, three vehicle crimes, 11 thefts from shops and three from private premises. Please keep reporting incidents to the police online and on 101 and obtain incident numbers. We have asked for a separate meeting with the police to discuss these issues.
Road markings through the town are to be refreshed.
We have also reported more incidents of fly tipping, requested removal of inappropriate graffiti, requested repair of more potholes (including a return to Holborn Street near to the Post Office), and renewal of some street signage.
Environmental team are working on drainage issues at two locations in Byers Green.
A work plan is underway to manufacture and repair the damaged barrier and posts on Junction of Oxford Road to High Street.
As ever, please get in touch if we can help.
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