Major town centre revamp will improve links to prison site

Councillors have given the go-ahead for a detailed scheme which will see major improvements made to Zetland Street and two alleyways in the town – New Row and Central Arcade.

All three are set to be major pedestrian routes from the town centre to the 3.5 acre prison site, which is due to be redeveloped later this year.

Members of Hambleton District Council’s Cabinet have released £7,300 to progress the improvement scheme.

The authority’s deputy leader Coun Peter Wilkinson said: “When the prison site comes on line – and with the move of North Yorkshire Police to the neighbouring Alverton Court site - it is important that we create inviting and easily accessible connections from them to the town centre.

“Initial work has identified Zetland Street and the two alleyways as the main routes into town – we are now looking for detailed drawings as to what could be done.”

He said proposals for Zetland Street will need to be agreed and drawn-up with North Yorkshire County Council, as the highways authority, but it could become single carriageway, have formalised loading bays, disabled parking spaces and bus stops and be improved with planting.

“We also hope shop owners will look at their building frontages and see how they can be involved in any improvements,” he added.

The district council is set to revamp the defunct prison site - with retail, leisure, education and housing on the list of possible future uses.

The authority bought the 3.4 acre site from the Ministry of Justice for £1.4 million in the summer of 2015.

The massive demolition project began at the end of last year. Five listed buildings will be retained, including the female wing built in the 1800s and the governor’s house.