Demolition of former Riverside Leisure Centre in Morpeth to create more parking getting underway

Northumberland County Council says that local residents, businesses and stakeholders have been notified and the project is expected to be completed by mid November.

The scheme will extend the existing Newmarket West car park onto the site, creating an estimated 108 additional parking spaces and 10 dedicated motorcycle spaces for the town.

During the first phase of the work, which will last three weeks, the Newmarket West car park that backs onto the building will be closed and access to the electric charging points suspended.

From there on, one third of the car park will be closed but the remaining car park area will be open and accessible – as will the electric charging points.

A small area of paving and public realm will also be created at the southern end of the site facing the river and Carlisle Park.

It is intended to relocate the two food outlets currently in Newmarket East car park onto this area. The move will improve pedestrian safety and release this space for extra parking.

Every effort has been made to keep disruption to the minimum and dust suppression measures will be in place as part of the planning conditions.

Work will take place on weekdays between 8am and 4pm.

The council’s deputy leader, Richard Wearmouth, said: “This programme of work has been very carefully planned so it can be carried out with the minimum of disruption, although naturally some will be inevitable when taking down a building of this scale.

“We hope it will be a relatively quick process and the extra parking which will result will I am sure be a great boost for both residents and businesses.”

Local ward county councillor David Bawn added: “Parking is an issue in Morpeth and these additional spaces that will be created will make a significant difference to shoppers and visitors to the town.”