The redevelopment of a town centre street to create a new cycling and walking route has been delayed.

Darlington Borough Council plans to transform Duke Street by adding a dedicated cycle lane and widened pavements to allow for better pedestrian access.

Work was due to begin earlier this year but a letter sent to businesses and seen by The Northern Echo said the proposed January 3 start date had been scrapped. No new start date has been set.

The authority says inflationary pressures hitting the construction industry and the cost of raw material have affected funding.

It comes as new concrete bollards and planters were installed along the street last weekend to replace the previous plastic red and white barriers used to allow more space for pedestrians. A one-way traffic system and 20mph speed limit was enforced on Duke Street in 2020.

The Northern Echo: Concrete planters and bollards have been installed along Duke StreetConcrete planters and bollards have been installed along Duke Street (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

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The Duke Street cycling and walking improvements are part of a wider £1.7m plan funded by the Tees Valley Mayor and the Tees Valley Combined Authority which has also seen works carried out on Woodland Road and Outram Street.

Councillor Andy Keir, cabinet member for local services, said: “The decision to pause the start of these works was not one we took lightly but inflationary pressures on the construction industry mean that we needed to take a moment to ensure the funding is in place to cover the upgrades planned.

“We are committed to completing this project and strengthening Duke Street’s position as a key gateway into the town centre. We will continue to liaise with business owners in the area and keep them up to date with the project.”

The Northern Echo: How Duke Street could look after the new cycle lane is built How Duke Street could look after the new cycle lane is built (Image: Darlington Council)