Further works will start on the road around the Market Cross in Barnard Castle next week to offer more protection to the structure.
The work coincides with an appeal to the public for historical information about the listed building.
Improvements being carried out to the A1(M) by Highways England have seen a higher number of HGVs travelling through Barnard Castle in recent times which has resulted in damage being caused to the Market Cross building.
Following the painting of improved markings onto the road surface around the building as an interim measure, Durham County Council will now be replacing the markings with solid kerbing to better guide HGVs around the structure and reduce the likelihood of further damage being caused. Repair work will also be carried out to the kerbing around the Market Cross itself.
The work will begin on Monday, 6 March and last for approximately 3 weeks. Temporary traffic lights will be in place during the work and motorists are being made aware that this may cause some disruption while the improvements are put in place. The access road from the bank to the roundabout will also be closed at the Market Cross end while the works are carried out.
The council has been required to wait until the diversion on the A1(M) was lifted before major works could begin.
Cllr Neil Foster, Cabinet member for economic regeneration and culture, said: “We’re delighted that the diversion on the A1(M) has been lifted so we can start the works to better protect the Market Cross. The temporary markings have reduced the number of incidents but we’re hoping that the kerbing will further help to protect this iconic building.
“We’d like to thank motorists for their patience while we carry out these vital improvements.”
In addition to the works, an appeal is being made for information on the history of the building itself to add to the county’s Historical Environment Record (HER). Despite the iconic nature of the listed building, there is little public information available about its past.
As a result, members of the public are being asked to contact archaeology@durham.gov.uk with any information they may have so the records can be updated.
The Historical Environment Record is a database of all aspects of County Durham’s environment. Maintained by the council, the database has approximately 15,000 records.
An updated survey on the Market Cross is currently being carried out for the council ahead of a funding application to restore and conserve the building later in the year.