Stockton-on-Tees' waterfront transformation
A £23 million urban regeneration project aims to revitalise Stockton-on-Tees town centre by creating a new urban park, which will serve as a vibrant public space for both residents and visitors
Esh Construction, part of Esh Group, is one of the largest privately-owned regional contractors in the North of England, and is at the forefront of a transformative urban development, working in partnership with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council.
Stockton Waterfront Urban Park is being constructed on land formerly home to Castlegate Shopping Centre and Swallow Hotel and will feature a variety of play areas, open spaces, and an amphitheatre for public events.
The transformation is part of the Council’s ambitious regeneration programme for its six town centres, ensuring they remain vibrant places which are economically successful, attracting investment and are fit for future generations.
A key element of the design is the integration of the park with the River Tees, achieved through the construction of a 55m-long land bridge connecting the High Street to the riverside, alongside an extension of the Millennium Footbridge to improve accessibility between the High Street and the river.
Esh Construction initially partnered with the council in 2022 to develop the detailed design concept before starting construction in December 2023, with completion expected in 2026.
Project Milestones
The project involves significant engineering and logistical work. Esh has utilised a wide range of equipment, including a CIFA 36-metre concrete pump, formwork designed by RMD Kwikform, and a 90-tonne capacity Kobelco CKE900G crawler crane, to handle nine concrete pours and construct the abutments for the land bridge.
Other equipment includes a 21-tonne excavator and Llamada P160TT CFA (Continuous Flight Auger) and P140TT Sectional flight auger (SFA) piling rigs.
Concrete has been a crucial material in the construction process, with substantial quantities used across various sections:
- CFA piles: 382 cubic metres
- SFA piles: 46 cubic metres
- Rigid inclusions: 457 cubic metres
- Land bridge: 2,104 cubic metres in total.
Esh Construction is also working alongside subcontractors including specialist civil engineering contractor BEMAC for formwork, steel fixing, reinforcement, and structural concrete works and Vanelle for piling operations.
Challenges and Solutions
One of the project's main challenges involved working around live Virgin and Vodafone fibre cables, which provide critical communication services to Stockton, Hartlepool, and Norton.
To maintain progress without disrupting these services, Esh installed a scaffold bridge, allowing excavation work to continue under the cables without causing any issues.
What’s Next?
In the coming months, construction will continue with the development of the Eastern and Southern Tensar walls, drainage works for the upper park, and paving works on Finkle Street. Once completed, the urban park will be a key part of Stockton’s future, encouraging business growth and attracting new shops, cafes, and restaurants.
This ambitious project marks a significant investment in Stockton's future, aiming to make the town centre a thriving and welcoming space for generations to come.
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