WORK on a trial section of cobbles in a small town is due to start early next month.

The work on Front Street, Alston, was originally planned for March but was put on hold due to Covid-19.

A number of Cumbria County Council’s project teams and highways staff were redeployed to assist with the council’s support for Cumbrian communities.

The council is now in a position to begin the trial panel work.

The 2m by 6m trail panel by the Market Cross will be made of local Alston stone laid in two laying options to test their strength and durability.

Work is expected to start on July 6 and will take a minimum of six weeks to complete.

The work will be completed under traffic lights to keep traffic flowing through the town. Excavating the existing setts, preparing the area and laying the setts is expected to take three weeks.

Cumbria County Councillor for Alston and East Fellside, Claire Driver, said: “The council’s project team have been working hard to create revised delivery plans due to Covid-19 and move things forward as they know how vital this project is to the ongoing regeneration of Alston. Along with their colleagues in the highway operations team, the council is committed to ensuring this project remains a top priority.”

Cumbria County Council has committed to designing and paying for a Phase One scheme.