GALLERY | Esh hands over £23m Stockton Waterfront regen
The contractor has completed its work at the urban park, delivered in partnership with the council and design firm Ryder Architecture.
The transformation project’s over-arching goal is to reshape Stockton-on-Tees town centre, reconnecting Stockton High Street with the River Tees through an expansive, multi-functional urban park designed to support events, leisure and community use and increase footfall into the town.
Andy Radcliffe, chief executive at Esh, said: “The completion of Stockton Waterfront urban park is a significant milestone for both Esh and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council. From the construction of the land bridge to the creation of the wider public realm, this project showcases the strength of our civil engineering capability and our ability to deliver major infrastructure.
“I’m incredibly proud of the expertise and commitment shown by everyone involved, right through to the supply chain that has supported the project to completion. The result is a high-quality, accessible space that will bring lasting social and economic value to the town.”
At the centre of this civil engineering programme is a 55-metre wide land bridge spanning the A1305 Riverside Road, delivering uninterrupted pedestrian access between the High Street and the riverside.
Supporting this, adjacent to the newly realigned highway, a 200-metre reinforced earth retaining Tensar wall was constructed.
Alongside the core infrastructure, the scheme has introduced an amphitheatre, flexible event spaces like the Oval Lawn, landscaped gardens and three distinct play areas designed to encourage inclusive use across all age groups.
The amphitheatre extends across a 20,000 sq ft-plus area that connects the upper park to the lower park and features 402 granite steps. It also features a poem by poet laureate Simon Armitage, which reflects on local heritage and the town’s connection to the Tees.
More than 17,000 plants have been installed, with 224 species and 153 trees included across the park. The planting scheme was designed by the late RHS ambassador Nigel Dunnett.
Stockton Waterfront is part of a wider regeneration programme, with £16.5m coming from central government and £20m from Tees Valley Combined Authority.
Cllr Paul Rowling, deputy leader at Stockton-on-Tees Council and cabinet member for resources and regeneration, said: “Stockton Waterfront urban park is going to have a transformational effect on the Borough, the wider Tees Valley and beyond.
“This is a huge investment and demonstrates the scale of our ambition to continue to make a difference to make the Borough a place to live, work and do business. It’s critical that we adapted to the challenges town centres are facing to drive economic growth, create opportunities for people and improve our communities.
“The Waterfront Park is set to be a catalyst for further investment and drive our ambitions for the future. This is only the beginning of that journey and we’re already looking at the next chapter by developing Tees Central, a new community at the heart of the Tees Valley.”
Final preparations and operational works are now taking place, ahead of the park opening to the public on Saturday 20 June, with a day of community events planned.
Click any image to launch gallery. All images credit Stuart Boulton/SBC
- Poet laureate Simon Armitage contributed words. Credit: Stuart Boulton/SBC
- The park opens fully on 20 June. Credit: Stuart Boulton/SBC
- Local heritage is paid tribute. Credit: Stuart Boulton/SBC
- Ryder is the architect. Credit: Stuart Boulton/SBC
- MHCLG and TVCA funded the scheme, Credit: Stuart Boulton/SBC.
- The park reconnects the high street to the Tees. Credit: Stuart Boulton/SBC
