WORK on a multi-million pound plan to transform the centre of Bishop Auckland will start in November.
Under an action plan outlined to Wear Valley District councillors this week, an urban renaissance programme will get under way at Theatre Corner, in Newgate Street, where a £200,000 scheme includes a bronze statue of comic Stan Laurel.
Fore Bondgate, at the north end of Newgate Street, will be repaved next year, director Bob Hope told the council's regeneration committee.
The public will be shown a plan by consultants Red Box, and details of shops, flats and a car park in North Bondgate from developers Helioscity.
The programme's four phases will together cost £8m. These are improvements to Market Place, North Bondgate and Fore Bondgate and the restoration of Auckland Castle Park.
In Market Place, work is expected to start in early 2009. Here the road is being moved to create a wider pavement at the front of the Town Hall the top of Newgate Street will have services for Christmas lights.
Bob Hope, the council's strategic director for regeneration said: "This is a huge investmentto achieve the urban renaissance that we all want."
Councillor Sam Zair said: "This is long-awaited. There are good times ahead for the town."
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