‘Game changer’ vs ‘A19 entrance first’: Teesside Park rail and bus plan garners mixed opinions
Teessiders have reacted to the "game changer" plans for Teesside Park to open a new bus and railway station.
It was announced on Saturday that £150m had been allocated to build a new transport interchange at the popular retail park[1], with the new rail link and station proposed at a site where plans are being developed for a new care and health innovation zone. Also announced was a bid for extra parking, a bus interchange and more bus services.
Some people said it was "about time" the complex had a dedicated railway station[2], having first been officially opened in 1991. While others hailed the idea as "great" - especially for those who don't drive or have cars - some raised concerns over the project's potential impact on Teesside's high streets and their future.
One person said: "I think it's a good idea, it will take a lot of traffic off the roads hopefully." Another person argued: "About time. If it goes ahead it will be brilliant."
Although some hailed the proposals as "brilliant" for the park and the region - especially the new bus interchange - they said they wanted Middlesbrough[3] Bus Station to be "left where it is". Others also raised concerns over the distance from the proposed bus and railway interchange to the actual shopping complex.
Millions of shoppers pour in and out of the complex every year, with snaking queues forming at busy periods of the year, especially throughout the Christmas period. In recent years, the park has come under fire for its traffic and car parking layout, which was previously branded as "confusing"[4].
Some argued that the car park layout is an issue that should be given more of a priority. Another thing some shoppers said they felt was more important was a second separate road entrance and exit to and from the A19[5].
One person explained: "Needs better roads in and out. Access straight to the A19 north and south." Another added: "Needs another entrance first I think."
Thornaby[6] Station will also be getting an overhaul under plans, following the revamping of Hartlepool[7] Station and the ongoing projects in Darlington[8] and Middlesbrough. The news also came just weeks after Stagecoach buses updated three routes to stop at three locations at Teesside Park.
The announcement followed the scrapping of the Northern leg of the HS2 rail line, which saw Tees Valley allocated a total of £978m of funding through city region sustainable transport settlements (CRSTS) for years 2027/28 to 2031/32.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said that transport to and from the park "needs to be improved" and said the huge funding package has provided the region with a "once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform travel across Teesside." Matt Vickers, Conservative MP for Stockton[9] South, said that the new transport hub would be a "game changer" and would "make life easier" for those travelling and working at the complex.
Councillor Chris McEwan, Labour's candidate for Tees Valley Mayor, said it was "good news" but "goes nowhere near far enough" as he made a series of pledges on social media for if he was elected mayor. They included building new stations to "connect the Tees Valley East to West, North to South", integrating the bus and rail network and a "£2 travel anywhere pass."
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References
- ^ at the popular retail park (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ had a dedicated railway station (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Middlesbrough (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ previously branded as "confusing" (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ A19 (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Thornaby (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Hartlepool (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Darlington (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Stockton (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ click this link and select 'Join Community (chat.whatsapp.com)
- ^ Teesside Live (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ can read our Privacy Notice (www.reachplc.com)
- ^ Click here to join our WhatsApp community (chat.whatsapp.com)
- ^ go here (www.gazettelive.co.uk)