Major cash bid aims to safeguard the Market Cross, in Barnard Castle

WORK is underway to understand how one of Teesdale’s heritage landmarks can be best maintained for future years.
Teesdale Action Partnership is helping to fund a fresh survey on Barnard Castle’s Market Cross.
A grant of £6,000 from the partnership’s budget is being put towards the cost of an update of the survey, which was first carried out in 2010.
For more than a year the town has seen an increase in HGVs passing through due to diversions on the A1 at Scotch Corner. The Market Cross has been struck by vehicles a number of times, causing  damage. Work has been on-going to try to resolve traffic management issues and prevent any further strikes of the monument.
Teesdale Action Partnership co-ordinator Craig Morgan said: “The partnership decides on priorities every year and this year transport and environment has been something we have been looking at. 
“Part of this is the built and historic environment of the Teesdale area and the Market Cross is an important part of Barnard Castle and Teesdale’s heritage.
“The partnership received a number of applications for its area budget this year with funding also going towards projects that are supporting people into work and projects that will benefit older people as well as a number of environmental projects.”
Following the completion of the survey, which is being carried out by Lewis Surveying, it is hoped further funding could be secured to  improve the condition of the 18th century structure.
It is anticipated that this will be made possible through an application for external funding, possibly through the Heritage Lottery Fund
This would be done during the next financial year.
Mr Morgan added: “It would be great if a relatively small investment now could help the council to secure major external funding in the future.”
The condition survey on the Market Cross is expected to be completed by the end of March.