Work to Get Started on Vital South Bank Link Road

Work on constructing another vital piece of transport infrastructure at Teesworks is primed to begin after a contractor was selected for the project.

The one-mile long South Bank Link Road will provide access to a 500-acre site at Teesworks – including the huge SeAH Wind monopile manufacturing plant.

It will include footpaths and a cycleway as well as a single carriageway road. A new roundabout will also be built within the South Bank site close to the entrance to connect to the existing roundabout junction at Smith’s Dock Road/Dockside Road.

North East firm Rainton Construction Ltd – part of the MGL Group – has been awarded the contract for the £7million scheme with work forecast to be complete in summer 2023.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Game-changing projects at Teesworks require top quality infrastructure to cope with the wider demands they will bring, and this link road shows we’re not slowing down even as our year of construction draws to a close.

“This road is vital to unlocking better access to 500-acres of land at Teesworks – and creating another way into the UK’s first and biggest Freeport. And, once again, a North East firm is taking on the work meaning yet more jobs are staying in our region.

“With a vast drilling operation well under way at SeAH, remediation work continuing apace and our demolition programme almost complete nearly two years ahead of schedule, this road is yet more evidence we are laying the ground for an exciting 2023 to bring more well-paid jobs to the people of Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.”

In future phases, the route will be extended through the South Bank site.

Ground remediation has already prepared the road corridor for construction – and the project will see a drainage network along with surface water drainage systems also included.

Dave Elliott, Joint Chief Executive of MGL Group, said: “Rainton Construction is delighted to be delivering first-class connectivity at Teesworks, reducing congestion, improving traffic links and enhancing cycling and walking routes.

“Using our extensive experience of complex infrastructure schemes, we will enable the site to function in a far more efficient way, allowing people to quickly, easily and safely get around.

“This a very exciting time for Redcar and Cleveland and the wider Teesside area, we are proud to support on the ambitions of the region.”