New public spaces, seating areas and enhanced links to the river all form part of improvements to Yarm High Street

Impressive new public spaces, paving, planted seating areas and interactive play features are all part of a series of improvements coming to Yarm High Street later this year.

The work builds upon public consultation and focuses on improving accessibility and pedestrian areas, creating new spaces in the High Street and enhancing links to and along the River Tees.

The new areas will separate pedestrian areas and large sections of car parking through seating and planting, as well as improve accessibility to public transport. There will be high-quality spaces for people to sit and enjoy their surroundings, as well as new cycle parking.

This work builds on and complements the recent restoration works to Yarm Town Hall, further improving the visitor experience. A number of references to Yarm's history and heritage is also included and interactive play items and 'play on the way' elements are featured in an area near Central Street.

Improvements to True Lovers Walk include resurfacing the existing footpath to repair root damage and the playground at Snaith's Field is set to be upgraded with new surfacing and some new play equipment.

The work will focus on six areas on Yarm High Street, plus improvements to River Walkways and Snaith's Field:

• Northern Gateway (Yarm bridge end)
• Northern and southern bus stops (outside Bang & Olufsen and Ketton Ox)
• Silver Street crossing point
• Yarm Town Hall crossing point
• Central Street
• Southern Gateway (Yarm School end)
• River Walkways and Snaith's Field

The programme is being funded as part of the £20million Levelling Up Fund secured from UK Government in 2021.

Councillor Richard Eglington, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing, said: "This is an opportunity to bring about further improvements to the High Street which we believe strikes the right balance in meeting the needs of residents, businesses and visitors. That's why we've refined the proposals based on what people feel is an appropriate level of change.

"There'll be more welcoming places for people to sit and enjoy such a pleasant environment, as well as widening areas of the footpath to help the movement of people and to make it more accessible.

"This also includes work that enhance spaces beyond the High Street, with emphasis on improving links to and along the River Tees. Work will be programmed in a manner that minimises disruption to all users as far as possible."

The scheme reflects the findings of two public consultations in 2022 to ensure it complements the High Street, its uses and the surrounding area.

An initial consultation was held to find out views on proposed improvements to the High Street and showed a desire to improve footpaths, reduce street clutter, provide more planting and seating spaces and improve connections to the river.

The findings were used to shape and develop concept designs and were presented for a second consultation later in the year.

The proposals ranged from a minimum level of planned improvement through to proposals, which explored additional areas of improvement, but would result in the loss of some car parking spaces on the High Street.

The results from the consultation showed that on average, 53 per cent of respondents would be accepting of the loss of some parking spaces, depending on the location and what the space would be used for.

The design and location of the new public spaces was refined, with nine car parking spaces to be removed to accommodate the new public realm.

The first phase of work is focused on the River Walkways and will begin on Thursday 8 May for around 10 weeks.

The High Street works will follow later in the summer once a final programme is confirmed.

The Council will be engaging with directly impacted residents and businesses in the coming weeks to explain how the project will be phased during construction. During the works, access to businesses and properties will be maintained at all times.

To find out more information about the Yarm High Street improvements and to view the full scheme, visit the Yarm High Street webpage.