Project Title: Tees Corridor - Middlesbrough

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 and infrastructure development. 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 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 maximizing the development potential of sites along the Tees Corridor.

Encourage the 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, travelling through, and visiting Stockton-on-Tees and Middlesbrough.

Future Projects

Eight Bridges Cycleway (Yr3 –Yr4) – The cycleway will provide a circular route along the Tees Corridor linking all eight bridges of the River Tees from Victoria Bridge in the west to the Transporter in the east. The cycleway will link points of interest and landmarks acting as attraction to tourists and local people whilst encouraging greater access to the river.

Water Cities International III (Yr3 –Yr4) – This is the third phase of a joint initiative with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council. Phase three involves the delivery of a pilot project from the Action Plan produced in phase one that will benefit from the experience and good practice that will be gained from European partner cities.

Riverside Rangers (Yr3 –Yr4) – This project will involve the employment of wardens to undertake works, particularly maintenance operations, throughout the project area, from Newport Bridge to the Transporter Bridge. The scheme will complement projects such as the Riverside Park Renaissance and the Eight Bridges Cycleway, which focus on increasing business and community activities along the corridor. The Rangers project will complement this activity by providing a labour source to ensure that projects are implemented and managed, access routes are maintained for informal recreation and that problems affecting the image of the corridor such as fly-tipping and vandalism are dealt with promptly.

Greater Riverside Park (Yr3 –Yr5) – This project builds on the preliminary activity undertaken in year one and two, which will address a number of key issues in the Greater Riverside Park area including: security, poor physical environment and low levels of investment. Works to be undertaken include: environmental enhancements, signage, lighting, acquisition and removal of redundant buildings, land acquisition to assemble sites, grant aid to area based schemes on private property, premises improvements and infrastructure improvements.

Tees Corridor Project Officer (Yr4 –Yr5) – The project involves the continuation of a year 1 project to employ a Project Officer to co-ordinate and project manage the implementation of projects contained in the Tees Corridor package within the Middlesbrough area.

Riverside Park Business Co-ordinator (Yr5) – The project involves the continuation of a year 1 project to employ a Riverside Park Business Co-ordinator to work with the local businesses within Riverside Park.

Lead Organisation (underlined) and Key Partners:
Middlesbrough Borough Council, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, Tees Valley Wildlife Trust, British Waterways, One North East, Groundwork South Tees, Sustrans, The WISE Group, Private Sector Business