A design and build contract which will see Stockton Waterfront redeveloped and transformed into a bold and visionary urban park has been appointed to Esh Construction.
Located in the heart of the town centre, Stockton Waterfront will feature a riverside plaza and land bridge structure which will connect the High Street to the River Tees.
Esh Construction’s civil engineering division will develop the detailed design concept between now and summer 2023, when construction is set to begin.
Steven Garrigan, Esh’s Divisional Director, said: “This is a significant contract award for Esh as we continue our organic growth across the region. We are delighted to be working in partnership with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council to help them bring to fruition the future vision for Stockton Waterfront.
“As with all Esh projects, we will deliver a comprehensive package of initiatives to provide positive economic and social benefits for the local community.”
The urban park will offer accessible space for community events and play host to the town’s world-class events programme.
The award follows Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s ambitious plans to transform the Town Centre being approved by planners last year.
Councillor Nigel Cooke, Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration at Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, said: “We are ambitious for the Borough and the scale of change that we are driving in Stockton Town Centre is validation of that. “If you want to achieve big things you have to deliver big projects and we’re working with the best to deliver something that’s bold, different and is really transformational.
Part of the design process will involve revisiting some elements of the existing concept design and the public will have the opportunity to have input into this process.
Procured via North East Procurement Organisation (NEPO), Esh will work in partnership with Ryder Architecture and Billinghurst George & Partners to develop the design.
The project is being part-funded with investment from the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority. Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “This is a great step forward for this massive project, which will breathe new life into Stockton Town Centre and reinvigorate its high street.
“Just days after the launch of Mayoral Development Corporations in Hartlepool and Middlesbrough, which will cut through red tape and supercharge redevelopment, it’s fantastic to see Stockton is cracking on with their ambitious plans to reshape their town centre.
“Our funding and this latest news will mean local people will see a real change for the better in a matter of months, not years.”
This is a significant contract award for Esh as we continue our organic growth across the region. We are delighted to be working in partnership with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council to help them bring to fruition the future vision for Stockton Waterfront."
