Construction work is progressing at Newcastle Great Park to deliver a 2.2km spine road, including the creation of Junctions 4-7. The new road will connect Wagonway Drive with Kingston Park Road via Brunton Lane.
Delivered by Esh’s civil engineering division on behalf of Newcastle Great Park Consortium – a joint venture between Taylor Wimpey Developments and Persimmon Homes plc – the scheme comprises the construction of three new roundabouts, one signalised junction and a 21m span bridge over the Ouseburn. Surface water drainage and attenuation systems will also be installed, including a balancing pond, culverts and drainage swales.
Since the start on site in the latter part of 2019, construction of Junctions 4-7 is progressing well with offline works, road surfacing, and earthworks nearing completion. At Junction 7, works are proceeding ahead of programme, following the re-routing of an unnamed water course and the installation of a new attenuation system. Elsewhere on the scheme, a 300m long swale has been constructed and excavation is beginning on a second swale of a similar size.
The next key milestone on the development will see the installation of the bridge over the Ouseburn, with piling works for the bridge already completed and construction of the abutments recently commenced.
Since development started in 2001, Newcastle Great Park has emerged into a sustainable community and one of the most desirable places to live in the North East. Uniquely positioned in a rural setting just three miles from Newcastle City Centre and already boasting good transport connections, the new spine road will make the Great Park one of the most accessible locations in the North East.
Steve Conn, Divisional Director at Esh Construction, said: “It is great to see the excellent progress made by the project team so far despite the challenges faced in today’s unprecedented times. As the scheme approaches one year on site, we are preparing for the next milestone which will see the bridge over the Ouseburn installed before the end the year”.
Commenting on the progress so far, Olly Thompson, Project Manager at Newcastle Great Park Consortium, said: “We are delighted with the progress being made to complete the spine road at Great Park. This is a vital part of infrastructure for the community and we are confident that it will act as a catalyst and attract further investment. It is so encouraging to see what the team has achieved despite the ongoing challenges we are all facing in our day to day lives.”
The scheme is expected to complete in the final quarter of 2021.
It is great to see the excellent progress made by the project team so far despite the challenges faced in today’s unprecedented times. As the scheme approaches one year on site, we are preparing for the next milestone, which will see the bridge over the Ouseburn installed before the end the year.”
