Revamped Beverley Market Cross to be unveiled

BEVERLEY'S Market Cross should have its scaffolding removed by the end of this month after a £30,000-plus revamp.

One of the East Riding's most instantly recognisable monuments was smartened up before the Diamond Jubilee celebrations and the Olympic Torch parade this summer.

But contractors noticed stonework had been damaged by the weather.

So an extra £8,000 was added to the £22,000 maintenance budget and the cross, a central feature of Saturday Market, was scaffolded over.

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Dave Waudby, head of infrastructure and facilities at East Riding Council, said: "The council is currently having some additional restoration works carried out at Market Cross to replace the stone caps on two of the monument's decorative vases to match the existing ones.

"The vases are also being cleaned to remove all oil-based paints and redecorated and the York stone paving and steps are being repointed.

"These maintenance works are crucial in protecting the long-term future of the historic structure, which had started to show signs of deterioration with much of that down to winter weather.

"The additional stone masonry works have cost about £8,000, as it is imperative that they be carried out to the highest standards in order to preserve the structure and character of the Market Cross for the foreseeable future."

Last month, it was announced plans for a £2.5 million makeover of Saturday Market would press ahead after the scheme won overwhelming support at a public exhibition.

Hundreds of residents viewed the proposals at a mobile exhibition in the town's market place.

East Riding Council is now preparing to appoint contractors.

Repaving the area will see parking spaces cut, pavements widened and a pedestrian area created around the Market Cross. Cobbles and tarmac are to be replaced with different types of block paving and Yorkstone pavements are to be renewed.

Council leader Councillor Stephen Parnaby said most market traders and members of the public who had seen the plans had welcomed them.

He said: "There won't be many town centres across the country where this type of investment will be implemented.

"This is about protecting and enhancing the town centre."

Work is likely to start in January and expected to be completed by November.