BARNARD Castle has enjoyed a mini-makeover, thanks to a Durham County Council initiative.
Bollards were painted, litter bins replaced, drains cleared and flower beds weeded during the blitz campaign that lasted for about a week.
The town was nominated for the county council’s Operation Spruce Up scheme by Teesdale Action Partnership.
Town councillors seized the opportunity to point out additional issues that need attending. Cllr Roger Peat convinced the county’s civic pride team to clear weeds from the Market Cross, and provide ground cover for beds near the Co-op garage and along Raby Avenue. He added that two recycling bins will be introduced to the town. He said: “They trialled them in Durham – in the marketplace – but it wasn’t successful.”
Cllr Peat hoped the bins, which will be placed at the entrance to Scar Top and near the fish and chip shop in Horsemarket, would be well used.
A call was also made for the county council to place litter-bins with ashtray facilities near the town’s pubs because of a problem created by people leaving cigarette ends on the pavement.
Chris Hindmarch, of the county council’s civic pride team, said Operation Spruce Up included an educational element where the team would visit schools and explain to children how they can get involved in protecting their environment.
They also highlight environmental crimes such as littering and dog fouling.
In addition to the mini-makeover, county councillor Richard Bell has arranged for officers to remove chewing gum from pavements. The “hot wash” work is expected to begin in the next few weeks.
Cllr Peat prompted county officers to look into repairing two spots in Market Place where cobbles have come loose and present a safety risk.
But Cllr Peat said: “It is the old thing about who owns the cobbles.” Mr Hindmarch said Cockfield is next in line for an Operation Spruce Up makeover, which is expected to take place before the end of the year.
