Project Title: Tees Corridor Renaissance (Stockton-on-Tees)

Project Description:
The River Tees is a resource of local and regional significance, however, the legacy of a declining manufacturing base has left areas of derelict and vacant land, with a vast number of sites that require considerable environmental improvement. In 1997/98 Coopers and Lybrand undertook the Tees Corridor Strategic Options Study on behalf of English Partnerships, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and Middlesbrough Council, identifying options for development of the River Tees Corridor. The overriding conclusion of the study was that extensive areas of land remained in a poor physical condition and substantially detracted from the overall environmental quality and investor confidence. In response to this, the study concluded that a two-pronged approach was needed to:

Promote economic and physical regeneration by maximising the development potential of sites along the Tees Corridor;

Encourage a transformation of the image of the Tees Corridor and Teesside in general.
The principle aim of the project is therefore to unlock the potential of the River Tees Corridor for cultural development, employment and recreation, through a strategically focused programme of high quality and sustainable improvements to key employment sites and transport corridors. This includes the remediation and preparation of large areas of brownfield land, and the promotion of cultural waterside development through regeneration and tourism. It encompasses land that is fundamental to defining the image of the Tees Corridor, and the wider perceptions of investors and people working in, traveling through, and visiting Stockton-on-Tees and Middlesbrough.

The key aims are to:

Create the right conditions for investment to achieve employment opportunities including specialist and regionally significant initiatives;

Achieve a fundamental shift in image and perception;
Conserve and enhance the heritage, environment and biodiversity of the Tees Corridor;

Improve access and connections between the river and the surrounding area;

Capitalise on the river as a linear recreational and sports resource.

Many of the proposals stem from the Tees Corridor Environmental Strategy, led by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and Middlesbrough Council. It provides a strategic framework for achieving landscape and environmental improvements to key riverside sites. The strategy highlights that the River Tees Corridor is seen as a key asset to Stockton-on-Tees, Middlesbrough and the Tees Valley, and identifies the potential of the Tees Corridor for further economic development and environmental revitalisation. A two-pronged approach is proposed, including a programme of comprehensive environmental treatment aimed at transforming the image of the Tees Corridor and the Tees Valley in general. In addition, a strategy for hard end development will promote economic and physical regeneration by maximising the development of key sites along the River Tees Corridor.

This approach is complemented by project proposals derived from the River Tees Navigation Strategy. The Strategy extends the environmental/conservation focus of the River Tees Corridor Environmental Strategy to encompass wider economic development, recreational and tourism opportunities. The Strategy sets out a vision for development, regeneration and management of the River Tees Corridor which protects the waterway as a resource, as well as unlocking its potential and encouraging the use of the River. Other proposals have derived from the economic regeneration and infrastructure requirements of major regeneration initiatives at North Bank and Haverton Hill. In this context, the Tees Corridor Renaissance project aims to complement these initiatives which are already committed. The project proposals are also set in the context of the Tees Valley Structure Plan which seeks to focus development along the Tees Corridor, particularly on brownfield land.

The following projects are currently being developed for Year 3 (2004/05) of the Tees Valley Single Programme:

Riverside Sites Improvements – The project will support the development of a number of key riverside sites in line with the River Tees Navigation Strategy by maximizing the potential of their riverside setting. These sites may include St Marks Basin and the Tees Barrage Car Park.

River Tees Watersports Zone – The aim of the project is to raise the national and international profile of the River Tees as a ‘sporting destination’, guided by the findings of the River Tees Watersports Zone Study currently being carried out. This will be achieved through careful branding, marketing and site enhancements on the stretch of river between the Tees Barrage and Victoria Bridge.

Stockton Town Centre/Riverside Linkages – Following competition of the Stockton Town Centre Visioning Study, a series of projects will be implemented aimed at maintaining the integrity of the Town Centre whilst developing positive connections/linkages with the riverside.

Water Cities III – Stockton-on-Tees and Middlesbrough Councils will be working together on a number of projects under the theme ‘Water and Society’ which will aim to re-engage to local community with the River Tees. The project will be implemented in partnership with European partner cities throughout the North Sea Region in order to exchange knowledge and share best practice in relation to waterside regeneration.

International Nature Reserve – The provision of a visitor centre on the Teesside International Nature Reserve in order to encourage greater access and recreational use of the Tees Corridor.

Lead Organisation (underlined) and Key Partners:
Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, Middlesbrough Council, British Waterways, Tees Valley Wildlife Trust