Traffic ban on old stretch of A1 made permanent

Until a bypass was built in 1970, the A1 went through Narrowgate in Alnwick

Work to permanently pedestrianise a section of road which was once part of the A1 has begun.

A trial beginning in 2019 banned vehicles on Narrowgate in Alnwick, Northumberland, following concerns the street was not wide enough for both pedestrians and heavy traffic.

A public consultation showed a majority of people supported a permanent traffic ban.

Conservative Alnwick councillor Gordon Castle said: "Just about every business on the stretch reported improved trade during the temporary closure period."

He added "a very strong safety case" was also made, given the "narrowness of the pavements and the proximity of moving traffic".

A car rally in 1910 through Narrowgate in Alnwick along what was then the Great North Road

Gavin Penn, who runs Penn Gallery on Narrowgate, agreed the road was "really dangerous" before.

"I saw so many near misses, so I always thought pedestrianisation was a good idea and trade is definitely up since the trial began," he said.

Gavin Penn has an art gallery in Narrowgate and said trade had increased since the road was closed to traffic

Sarah Hindhaugh, the owner of Harry Potter merchandise shop Bowring Hepple Black, agreed it would be "a great asset to Alnwick".

"It's a bit noisy now," she added, "but it'll be worth it in the end."

The work will pause for Christmas but is expected to finish by January 2025

Green Party Alnwick councillor Martin Swinbank said: "This will be a huge improvement to the quality of the street surface, it will improve accessibility and give a lift to the whole area.

"A real community of largely independent businesses, including both shops and cafes, now fills the street and is thriving."

The work will continue until December, stop for the Christmas shopping period and is expected to finish in January 2025.

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