30 October – Northumberland County Council
Further changes have been made to the temporary one-way system in Hexham town centre as a result of local feedback.
A number of measures were introduced to improve conditions for pedestrians and shoppers – providing more space to allow people to visit safely and adhere to Covid-19 restrictions.
Now further changes have been made to the extent of the temporary one way system, so rather than starting opposite the Abbey Car Park at the bottom end of Beaumont Street it starts just before the narrow ‘pinchpoint’ where Beaumont Street goes into Market Street.
This means that Beaumont Street is reopened to two way traffic and enables drivers to park in Market Place and to have the option of turning right or left when they wish to drive away again – so they can either go back up Beaumont Street or continue through the pinch point and follow the one way along Market Street and onto Gilesgate.
These latest changes were made by Northumberland County Council following dialogue with the Town Council, local county councillors and representations from the business community.
CCTV footage and speed survey data has shown that the one-way system is working to reduce speeds making it easier and safer for pedestrians to step out onto the road to social distance.
However some concerns had been raised about the numbers of vehicles using Market Street so this change should help to reduce traffic flows on this road and make it easier to get into and out of the Market Place.
The temporary road closure on Hallstile Bank remains in place as does the temporary pedestrianisation of the Market Place on those Saturdays when there is a Farmers Market.