WORK has started on implementing an environmental masterplan to improve Ferryhill Station.

The plan was developed by Groundwork East Durham after being awarded money from the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) last year.

Groundwork looked at existing information and consulted with residents and interested parties to produce the plan.

The Ferryhill Station Masterplan identifies 10 priority areas for environmental improvement and a further 25 possible smaller projects.

Priorities include environmental improvements and traffic calming at the Chilton Lane and Lough House Bank junction and improvement of the Old Pit Lane path.

Further developments are planned at the Surtees play area and improvements are lined up for the site of the proposed demolition of housing on Chapel Row, Trafalgar Street and Nelson Streets.

The first elements of the plan to be put into action are projects to improve the Neecol and Prismo industrial sites.

Small-scale improvements, such as fence painting, are also being undertaken.

Stephen Armstrong of Goundwork said: "There's been an awful lot of consultation done in the Station, but they've never seen anything on the ground until now.

"Now we've come in and completed some of the projects and started some other work and we want to keep the momentum going."

A display will be taken around local community outlets for people to view.

Information will be displayed in Ferryhill Library and the Sure Start unit at Ferryhill Station Primary School from next Monday until Friday, September 6.

Information sessions for young people will be held at the Station Primary and Comprehensive Schools.

Andy Coulthard, regeneration officer at Sedgefield Borough Council, said: "The report itself has involved the local people and they've identified the priorities, so it's been community led right from the beginning to the end.

"Local people will continue to be getting involved in these programmes and there will also be a lot of children taking part."