The Darlington Pedestrian Heart Project therefore aimed to: reinforce the distinctiveness of Darlington; act as an icon for the renaissance of Darlington as a shopping, living and working destination; create a hub for the economic health of the town centre; improve access and quality of life for all; and create inviting and safe spaces.

Darlington's new Pedestrian Heart features a central space for events with bold swathes of plantings, high quality granite surfacing throughout with unique bar code planters all supplied by Hardscape, seating areas, a water feature, also supplied by Hardscape, and a focal market area.

A simple line of steps reflected a change in street level in the central space (High Row) and a cascade water feature ran down the steps in the main street. Two ramps were integrated into the steps at High Row with handrails to provide disabled access at key points.

The choice of flagstone materials across most of the site allows a smooth wheelchair transition, while flush kerbs allow easier road crossing. A series of back-to-back seating along High Row creates a vantage point looking over the town and in the other direction to busy High Row.

Throughout the project there has been emphasis on the inclusion of artist-designed lighting concepts.

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