A SCHEME to improve streets and parking in Barnard Castle and Middleton-in-Teesdale will benefit disabled people and those with young children.

Teesdale District Council has joined forces with Durham County Council and the Countryside Agency to improve kerbs in Barnard Castle and improve parking in Middleton-in-Teesdale.

The county council will soon begin work on lowering kerbs on main roads in Barnard Castle. The scheme is a result of consultation between the county council, Teesdale council, the Teesdale Disability Forum and users of the town's Bede Day Centre.

The improvements will make it easier for people in wheelchairs or with prams and pushchairs to access shops and services in the town, as well as public buildings, including the council offices, health centre, tourist information centre, library and Richardson Hospital.

Funding will come from the Barnard Castle mini-package, which is part of the county council's local transport plan. The mini-package also includes improving the bus interchange in Galgate and providing storage areas for bikes.

Bus access to the Teesdale Sports Centre, in Barnard Castle, will also be improved through a new road connection.

Plans are being drawn up for approval by the county council for January next year.