The project, delivered by local construction contractor Hall Construction Services, is the first stage in the delivery of a comprehensive, site-wide transportation infrastructure network to support major regeneration of the area.

The scheme will enable access to 350 acres of development opportunity in the Development Corporation, including 1.3 kilometres of river frontage; land which is primed for the first wave of investors.

Completion of the roundabout realises one of three new strategic accesses planned for the 4,500-acre STDC area, as identified in the Master Plan.

This is the first construction project to be delivered by the Development Corporation. It was originally developed by Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council and is being funded through the Tees Valley Combined Authority. In time, it will be upgraded to a Gateway entrance to the STDC area, the UK’s biggest development opportunity today, being delivered by the only Mayoral Development Corporation outside of Greater London.

The Master Plan, launched in October 2017, promotes the vision for a world-class industrial business park on South Tees, and the redevelopment programme has already had more than 100 serious development enquiries, with a first-phase investment pipeline of more than £10billion.

Cllr Mary Lanigan, Leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council and Vice Chairman of the South Tees Development Corporation, visited the roundabout to meet Jeanette Armin from the Development Corporation and John McCabe from engineering consultancy WSP, the roundabout designers.

She said: “The local construction and supply chain jobs this project brought were just the tip of the iceberg of what we want to do at the Development Corporation. We’re aiming to deliver thousands of good jobs for our local people that can lead to even better careers.

“This roundabout will help improve our offering to companies looking to invest and make it easier for workers from the surrounding areas to get to the roles we’re creating. This is the next step in our 25-year plan that will transform the region and the communities and lives of people in it.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, Chairman of the South Tees Development Corporation, said: “This is just a small example of how we’re unlocking even more land for private investors by funding proper infrastructure. I want to thank Cllr Mary Lanigan and her team at the Council for all their work to deliver this project on time and on budget.”