Following the completion of work to reinstate a 30m section of setts on Alston’s Front Street, the road was due to reopen today.
Work to replace the cobbles opposite the Market Cross commenced on August 2 and was carried out by specialist stonemasons from Cubby Construction.
It was anticipated that the road could be closed until the end of November due to the complexity of the surface, and subgrade of the road.
However, thanks to some spells of milder and drier weather and the efficiency of the contractors, the road can safely reopen earlier.
The stone used in the reinstatement has come from the nearby Alston Quarry — which means all the materials and works on site have been completed using locally sourced materials and contractors.
The county council has worked closely with the Alston Front Street Steering Group throughout the project.
A council spokesman said they recognised the importance of having the business community and residents involved and a sub-group of local business and community representatives was established to ensure that Alston was promoted and celebrated as “open for business” throughout the work.
The introduction of the successful monthly Alston Moor Producers’ Market from May to September was one of the major projects of this group and was held on the last Saturday of each month.
Claire Driver, Cumbria county councillor for Alston and East Fellside, said: “I am absolutely thrilled to see the work on this section of Front Street to reinstate our beloved and famous cobbles completed.
“It’s taken a huge amount of work to achieve this and I’d like to thank the community for their continued support and patience as well as officers from the county council for their continued enthusiasm.
“This project has been so much more than a simple engineering job, and collectively we were all committed to preserving the heritage of the town and its ‘sense of place’.”
“The project group has worked hard to engage the local community at every given opportunity — from the selection of stone and laying patterns, to the section of Front Street to lay the setts. I sincerely hope that the finished product is something we can all be proud of for years to come.”
Plans for a celebration to mark the completion of this section of the road are under way.
