Multi-million-pound plans to create new tunnel under River Tees officially unveiled

An in-depth look at creating a tunnel under the River Tees to ‘slash journey times’ and offer better access to jobs has been unveiled.

A package of £5m for work into a Tees Tunnel will be included in a ‘huge’ cash boost for transport in the coming weeks. Pipelines north and south of the river already exist to support major industry, but this new study would examine the viability of creating a tunnel link for motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and freight.

The project has the potential to radically slash journey times between Hartlepool and Redcar, and give residents north of the Tees better access to jobs at Teesworks, and a huge boost to major businesses on the banks of the river.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen commented: “We shouldn’t limit our ambition, and a Tees Tunnel has the potential to supercharge our efforts to make Teesworks a success in which everyone can share across our fantastic region.

“For far too long, people from Hartlepool have had to endure a tortuous journey of 45 minutes to Redcar and vice versa. We’ve been looking at cutting this time for years and now we have the money to have a proper in-depth look at tunnel possibilities and concepts.

“This offers another string to our bow and has the real potential to bring better access to high-quality, well-paid jobs north and south of the river in our vital core industries and businesses.”

The wider transport announcement follows the decision by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to scrap the Northern leg of the HS2 rail line. This has brought £978m of further transport funding directly to the Tees Valley Combined Authority.

Cash has been lined up for a station and bus interchange to serve both Teesside Park and a planned major new care and health innovation zone at the Tees Marshalling Yards, Stockton.

A boost of £20m has also been earmarked for an overhaul of Teesside Airport railway station with further funding being put towards saving Middlesbrough’s Transporter Bridge. The full list of schemes will be subject to approval by voting members of the Tees Valley Combined Authority Cabinet this month.

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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