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Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has today (4 August) announced that £17.4million of Government funding will help to drive forward three projects each helping to transform Tees Valley, secure investment and create jobs.

The Government’s Getting Building Fund is investing in three schemes in the region, which aim to be completed by the end of March 2022.

A new gateway entrance for Teesworks in Redcar will receive £4.1million of funding. Teesworks was last week unveiled as the new name and brand for the 4,500-acre South Tees Development Corporation.

At the launch, Mayor Houchen announced that 19 demolition projects will start on site over the next 12 months, generating nearly 400 jobs and with a total investment of almost £400million.

The entrance will include dedicated induction, training and development spaces, and will accelerate investment into the wider site and help realise its ambition as the UK’s largest industrial zone.

A total of £9.65million has also been earmarked through the Fund towards the Mayor’s £35million redevelopment of Middlesbrough station.

This includes part-funding the extension of an existing platform to allow it to accommodate longer trains, alongside the construction of commercial floorspace.

And a further £3.65million has been allocated to the second phase of development of Darlington’s Central Park, home to CPI’s National Biologics and Manufacturing Centre, and Teesside University’s National Horizons Centre – both centres of excellence in the biologics and life sciences sector.

This will create 2,370sq m of high-quality business accommodation including lab and office space, resulting in the creation of 150 new jobs.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said:

“These aren’t pie-in-the-sky projects. The very reason I’ve secured this £17.4million funding is because these schemes are ready to go, and will create a huge and direct impact across our region.

“As we seek to rebuild our economy following the coronavirus pandemic, and also help lead the way for the rest of the UK, we need to unlock these projects and capitalise on new opportunities quicker than ever, and this cash will give us the means to do that.

“Just days after I launched Teesworks on our former steelworks site in Redcar, we’ve secured more Government investment to start developing it – a high-quality entrance space that will wow investors from across the world. We’ve got a new name, and this will give us a new start.

“Funding for the Middlesbrough station redevelopment will sit alongside the £35million already pledged to the scheme, increasing the frequency of services and train routes as a key part of my plan for jobs. It is crucial to the work to introduce the first services between London and Middlesbrough in decades.

“Organisations operating in the vital field of life sciences and biologics are already based in Darlington’s Central Park. With this investment we can unlock more top-quality workspace to attract further biopharmaceutical businesses and well-paid jobs.”

Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government Simon Clarke MP said:

“We want to build back better to fuel a green economic recovery across the country by investing in infrastructure, creating jobs and building the homes people need.

“That is why, we are investing £64.4m in shovel-ready projects in the North East through our £900 million Getting Building Fund.

“This funding will unlock homes, create new jobs and deliver investment in commercial and green spaces and a much-needed boost to the local economy.”

Redcar MP and South Tees Development Corporation Board Member Jacob Young said:

“Once again this Government has shown its commitment to Teesside, powering our national recovery.

“The new Teesworks site is the single biggest development opportunity in the UK, and by committing over £4 million for the work on the site, the government is getting the ball rolling on the construction.

“Once the key infrastructure is in place, Teesworks will be able to open up to the world and provide thousands of jobs for the people of Teesside.

“This is fantastic news for Teesworks, for Teesside and especially for the people of Redcar and Cleveland.”

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