A new state-of-the-art gatehouse and entrance which will service the UK’s largest and most-connected industrial zone, at the heart of the Teesside Freeport, is now complete.
Delivered by Esh Construction on behalf of Teesworks, the project has transformed the former Redcar steelworks entrance and paved the way into the 4,500-acre site.
An official visit from Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen and Councillor Mary Lanigan marked the start on site for Esh’s civil engineering division in October 2020. The long-standing gatehouse had become a key symbol following the closure of the SSI steelworks in 2015 and its demolition was a key moment in the journey of the biggest re-development opportunity in the country.
The revamped entrance includes a new modern gatehouse and training facility, increased car parking, bespoke street lighting and modern landscaping to create a welcoming arrival for visitors and international investors. A purpose-built 30-metre-wide 3-metre-high LED screen has been installed onto the newly decorated bridge as a feature to showcase the capabilities of the industrial zone, as well as provide up to date site information.
Andy Radcliffe, Esh’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “As a local contractor, we are proud to play our part in the huge investment and re-development programme that is underway in the Tees Valley. The Redcar Gatehouse entrance was previously a focal point for the former steelworks site, now, it is a focal point for the UK’s largest industrial zone and the first tangible glimpse into the future of this site.
“We believe in employing local, buying local, and providing maximum economic benefit for our clients and their communities, a core value which is very much shared with that of the Mayor’s. As a local business, we are poised, ready to support the Mayor and the whole of Teesside by using the opportunity to carry out works on the site to bring jobs and ultimately prosperity to the communities in and around this iconic location.”
The scheme forms part of Teesworks’ ambitious plans to re-develop the site into a home for clean growth, large scale manufacturing and tech companies, powered by net zero energy. While the yearly Budget announced the UK’s largest Freeport will be based in Teesside, the sites future was bolstered by a further announcement that it would become home to a new wind turbine blade manufacturing factory for global offshore wind manufacturer, GE Renewable Energy.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “It’s fantastic to be able to officially open the doors to our brand new gatehouse, which sets the tone for our modern, forward-looking Teesworks site and is sure to wow investors.
“Working with local businesses such as Esh across the Teesworks site is a part of my plan for jobs, good-quality well paid jobs for local people. I actually kicked off the demolition of the former gatehouse, last year, on the fifth anniversary of the steelworks closing. So it’s incredibly fitting that we re-open the entrance to round off a fortnight of much-welcomed good news stories for our region.
“We are now home to the UK’s largest Freeport, we have GE Renewable Energy setting up the UK’s first factory to manufacture huge blades for offshore wind turbines creating over 2,000 jobs, and we have 750 civil service jobs coming to Darlington, all of which mean more good-quality jobs across Teesside, Darlington, and Hartlepool.”
As a local contractor, we are proud to play our part in the huge investment and re-development programme that is underway in the Tees Valley. The Redcar Gatehouse entrance was previously a focal point for the former steelworks site, now, it is a focal point for the UK’s largest industrial zone and the first tangible glimpse into the future of this site.”
