A picturesque Weardale market town is being given a ‘Spruce Up,’ thanks to a council programme.
Durham County Council’s ‘Operation Spruce Up’ teams arrived in Stanhope, in the heart of the Durham Dales, on Monday, 14 August for a week of action.
The scheme involves council staff and partners delivering improvements to the town around Front Street; Market Place; Lime Tree Walk, the Riverside Walk and surrounding areas.
Footpaths are being swept and cleared; street furniture such as benches, bollards and railings painted; old bins replaced with new units and chewing gum removed from footpaths and pavements.
In addition, tired shrub beds and entrance planters are being revamped with fresh planting and trees pruned and lifted where necessary.
Street markings are also being renewed and gully channels cleansed.
Finally, a litter pick is taking place to collect any waste items discarded irresponsibly.
A team of people will assist the taskforce, including the council’s clean and green and civic pride teams, representatives from Weardale Area Action Partnership (AAP), Stanhope Parish Council and the Durham Dales Centre, and volunteers from local businesses.
Oliver Sherratt, the council’s head of direct services, said: “We are delighted to bring Spruce Up to Stanhope.
“It’s already a beautiful market town of course, however Spruce Up allows the area to look its best, in time for the Stanhope Show.”
Cllr Brian Stephens, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, added: “We appreciate the help of our many partners and organisations who come together to make the Spruce Up scheme a success.
“Everyone can play their part in keeping areas clean and tidy and, by doing so, inspiring others to act responsibly.
“I’d like to thank people for their continued support and contribution.”
Operation Spruce Up was launched in November 2016 and takes in one town or village, per Area Action Partnership (AAP) catchment, each month, until December.
The campaign saw activity in Leadgate during July at St Ives Road, Watling Street, Durham Road and Front Street.
Of the many tasks carried out, the Cenotaph was replanted with summer bedding and the council’s civic pride team worked alongside national charity Sustrans and the Leadgate Task Force, to litter pick a stretch of the C2C cycle track.
Residents, businesses and communities can find out more about Operation Spruce Up by emailing the civic pride team at civicpride@durham.gov.uk , visiting www.durham.gov.uk/spruceup or calling 03000 261 000.
Members of the public are encouraged to dispose of litter responsibly, to help keep County Durham tidy.
Anyone caught dropping litter is liable to be issued with an £80 fixed penalty notice or fined up to a maximum of £2,500 if taken to court.
Litter can be reported online at www.durham.gov.uk/litter