Traffic ban on old stretch of A1 in Alnwick made permanent

Work to permanently pedestrianise a section of road which was once part of the A1 has begun.

A trial beginning in 2019 banned vehicles on Narrowgate in Alnwick, Northumberland, following concerns the street was not wide enough for both pedestrians and heavy traffic.

A public consultation showed a majority of people supported a permanent traffic ban.

Conservative Alnwick councillor Gordon Castle said: "Just about every business on the stretch reported improved trade during the temporary closure period."

Gavin Penn, who runs Penn Gallery on Narrowgate, agreed the road was "really dangerous" before.

"I saw so many near misses, so I always thought pedestrianisation was a good idea and trade is definitely up since the trial began," he said.