Approval has been granted by Durham County Council for the temporary closure of North Bondgate.
The Auckland Project submitted the request, via its contractor MGL Demolition, for the closure of North Bondgate for five days, from 24 November, to enable the safe demolition of the remaining unstable structures at the former Queens Head and Postchaise Hotels site.
The closure is required to allow specialist equipment to be safely positioned at the front of the site. This will allow the buildings to be returned to their original footprint while ensuring public safety and enabling the next stage of regeneration works to proceed.
The road will be closed 24 hours a day for the full five-day period, although demolition work will only take place between 8am and 6pm. The closure will temporarily stop vehicle access along North Bondgate into and from the Market Place, but access around the Market Place and down Wear Chare from Durham Road will remain open. Pedestrian access will not be restricted.
North Bondgate Car Park will remain open as usual.
Andrew Taylor, Director of Estates at The Auckland Project, said: “Public safety is always our foremost priority, and this temporary closure is essential to ensure specialist demolition works can be carried out safely and responsibly.
“We appreciate that road closures bring inconvenience, and we are committed to keeping disruption to a minimum while progressing this important regeneration project for Bishop Auckland.”
The development of the 59-bedroom hotel will play an important role in the continued regeneration of Bishop Auckland, creating up to 95 jobs. It will also provide career pathways for students at Bishop Auckland College’s new hospitality training school, located in the nearby McIntyre building.
Backed by £3.1m from the Stronger Towns Fund, administered by Durham County Council, with additional investment from The Auckland Project, the hotel is expected to generate £4.7m in annual visitor spend, supporting local businesses and increasing footfall across the town.
For further information or to share any concerns during the closure period, please contact The Auckland Project via enquiries[@]aucklandproject[.]org.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
