Work to reinstate the cobbles to a 30m section of an Alston street is expected to start in the spring.
A trial panel of setts was installed on Front Street last summer for safety and weather testing.
Cumbria County Council is now preparing the tender documents to appoint a contractor to do the work for the stretch of road opposite the market cross.
Work is expected to start in mid-May and the authority said due to the complexity of the proposed surface and its subsurface, it will take much longer than a standard road reconstruction, which can only take a few days.
A statement said: “Various factors including weather – in particular rain – also come into play. The laying of stone setts is a specialist skill and the stonemasons will need to liaise with the original team who installed the trial panel.”
Claire Driver, county councillor for Alston and East Fellside, said: “I am delighted to see the work on Front Street to reinstate our cobbles making good progress and finally about to begin.
“It’s taken a huge amount of work to get to this stage and I’d like to thank the community for their continued support and patience as well as officers of the council for their continued enthusiasm.
“The work will require a full road closure with traffic needing to be diverted via the Blagill Loop.
“I am pleased that the contractor will be liaising closely with the council, and that by working together with local businesses and residents, we will ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum and that businesses in Alston are actively promoted as remaining open to visitors.”
The Alston Front Street steering group recognised the importance of the business community and residents involvement in the construction phase of the project and a sub-group of business and community representatives has been brought together to discuss how they can promote and celebrate Alston, tying in with the road works and welcoming visitors back after the easing of COVID restrictions.
The council said it was working closely with the group to ensure that disruption was kept to a minimum.
The legal process of applying for the temporary road closure has been applied for and the authority said because it does not have a programme of work from the contractor, it has applied for a long closure period.
The statement added: “It is sensible to exercise caution and book longer than needed, rather than not booking long enough.”
