End in sight for street revamp - in six months

Construction work has dominated Northumberland Street for the past two years

A long-running revamp of a busy high street should finally be completed in six months' time, council bosses said.

Businesses, shoppers and city centre workers based in Newcastle's Northumberland Street have had to endure heavy disruption since a huge regeneration project began in December 2023.

Newcastle City Council said the street was being "transformed into a vibrant, welcoming space that will serve the city proudly for generations to come".

However, it confirmed the street's central section would remain mostly cordoned off for paving work during the Christmas period.

The authority had originally hoped that the overhaul, paid for with a grant from the Levelling Up fund, would be completed by the summer.

However, the completion date was pushed back amid complications blamed on the complex patchwork of utilities beneath the street.

'Share of challenges'

The council said the south end of the street outside Fenwick was now "fully open" with the installation of new paving and benches finished in time for the store's annual festive window reveal.

It also said footpaths in front of shops would remain clear, ensuring that businesses could trade as usual during the busy Christmas period.

Trees and rain gardens are expected to be installed in the new year and in April huge lighting pillars will be put up, designed to represent the pilgrim poles which mark the way across to Holy Island - the final stage of the work, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The redesign has been inspired by the street's history as the ancient route to Lindisfarne, with the pattern of the newly-laid paving stones inspired by the island's Gospels tapestry.

A council spokesperson said: "While the project has brought its share of challenges, the results speak for themselves.

"As the final touches are added, it's clear that Northumberland Street is being transformed into a vibrant, welcoming space that will serve the city proudly for generations to come."