Former leisure centre in Morpeth demolished as project to create more parking spaces enters final stages
The former Riverside Leisure Centre in Morpeth has now been fully demolished and extra parking spaces are set to be ready soon.
In its latest update, Northumberland County Council has said that project is due to be completed by November 13 and, subject to final preparations, the extended temporary parking area is expected to open to the public on November 20 before the busy Christmas shopping period.
With the former building now fully demolished, the next phase of work will see the site backfilled with crushed stone – including the former swimming pool area and other voids – before being levelled.
Drainage works will also be carried out and hoarding installed to separate the new unrestricted parking area from the adjacent restricted parking bays on Newmarket West.
The cleared and levelled site will create an estimated additional 100 unrestricted parking spaces. Follow on work will then take place next spring to fully tarmac the area, mark out bays and create a formal extension to the existing New Market West Car Park that will provide 108 new parking spaces and 10 motorcycle bays.
The Riverside building was owned by the council and became redundant when a new leisure centre and community services hub was built in another part of town.
The council’s deputy leader, Richard Wearmouth, said: “Morpeth continues to attract shoppers, tourists and visitors from across the region, and that popularity brings increased pressure on parking, particularly during busy periods.
“These additional spaces will help meet that demand, support the town centre and make it easier for people to access the fantastic range of independent shops, cafés and businesses that make Morpeth such a thriving market town.”
As the scheme draws to a close, there will be some large vehicles arriving at the site to take away the machinery that was needed to carry out the demolition work.
Local ward county councillor David Bawn added: “I’d like to thank residents, businesses and visitors for their patience while these works have been carried out.
“We appreciate that a project of this scale can cause some temporary disruption, but the long-term benefits will be felt by everyone who lives, works and spends time in Morpeth.”