Following a long running campaign, undertaken jointly with the parish council, I have received confirmation this morning from officers at Durham County Council that a tender process is to take place in the next few days to find a contractor to re-surface the Black Path connecting Blackhall Colliery with High Hesleden.
I have argued for many months that the surface of the path is damaged and dangerous which acts a deterrent to users. I have also made the case that the path should be re-surfaced to encourage walkers to use it for health and recreation purposes and also to link the two settlements more effectively.
This process is expected to be completed by spring next year with tarmac re-surfacing to commence shortly afterwards.