Newbiggin Central and East County councillor Liz Simpson has paid tribute to the county council staff for prioritising work to improve the promenade and slipway in the town.

Liz Simpson said: “I’m very pleased this is now happening as I initiated the first meeting about the ramp and beach management plan after listening to concerns from residents and visitors about crossing the slipway.”

The work will focus on the slipway which cuts through the promenade and will start on 25 October with completion expected in March 2022.

The current slipway can cause accessibility issues for promenade users, particularly for those with limited mobility, wheelchair users and people with prams.

The project will involve re-profiling the slipway and levelling it off where it crosses the promenade. While on site, engineers will also be carrying out some improvement works to the beach, moving sand and adding in fencing to help control the movement of the sand.

The improvement work will begin in late October.

Liz added: “Officers from County Council have worked hard to bring this project about which will make crossing the ramp safer for all users.”