A new fund to ensure connectivity is at the heart of major town centre projects has been backed by leaders as part of a wider package of transport measures.
The Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority Cabinet members have agreed proposals should be sent to Government on a wide-ranging transport and infrastructure vision of more than £1.3bn.
And the package will include a sum of approximately £24million for each of our region’s five local authorities: Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees – to support connections and transport for major regeneration projects taking place in each borough.
The funding boost will tie in with the recently agreed Local Growth Plan – a 10-year vision to set out how the region will build on its strengths to grow and meet its priorities on skills, jobs, transport, housing and development, particularly supporting regeneration of the area’s town centres.
This funding will see TVCA working closely the five local authorities, allowing each Council to bring forward investment on connectivity shaped around the needs and opportunities of its own town centres.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Important projects are taking shape in our towns right now across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.
“From the Darlington Economic Campus to the new Production Village in Hartlepool, as well as exciting visions across Teesside, we’re seeing interventions to breathe new life into the heart of our towns.
“But these projects will simply not deliver what local people need if they don’t link up properly with our transport network.
“That is why I want this fund to give each council the ability to invest and ensure they connect with as many people as possible.”
Cabinet also agreed that the updated Tees Valley transport delivery plan should be submitted to Government following refinements to draft proposals presented to leaders in March.
The plan sets out the region’s priorities for a faster, safer and more reliable network, improving links between communities, town centres, major employment sites and the national transport system.
Major projects planned include a new platform at Middlesbrough Station to increase rail capacity and reliability, funding for the redevelopment of Thornaby Station as part of aspirations for Tees Central improving connectivity at Teesdale Business Park and redevelopment of the Tees Marshalling Yards, the Darlington Northern Link Road and wider improvements to the A66 and A689 corridors.
Among the capital allocations are:
Tees Rail – £256million – including Middlesbrough Station, Redcar Central, New South Bank Station, Teesside International Airport Station, the Eaglescliffe to Northallerton Rail Gauge Clearance, other station improvements and rail enhancements.
Road investments – £470million – including Darlington Northern Link Road, A689 Improvements, an Elwick Bypass, Increased Highway Maintenance Funding – including the A66, a road safety programme and other improvements on the network to support employment and housing.
Bus and active travel (walking, cycling and getting around) – £165.8million – including corridor improvements across all five boroughs, shelter improvements and Middlesbrough Bus Station.
Unlocking jobs, growth and housing – £378million – including Teesworks transport improvements, Tees Central, individual programmes to support regeneration across our town centres, and the restoration of the Transporter Bridge.
Digital transport – £65million – including the Tees Valley Traffic Digital Twin.
Cllr Steve Harker, TVCA Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure, said: “This is a wide-ranging and vitally important transport delivery plan for the whole of Tees Valley.
“It will be adapted as the work develops, but it is pleasing to have these priorities set down. We now look forward to the feedback from the Department for Transport.
“It is crucial people understand that, while we are a devolved body, major transport schemes often require significant additional funding.
“Therefore, Government backing for our plans is vital because it will allow external bodies to help fund our programme, giving us the best chance of delivering as many projects as possible in good time across the region.”
