Work on a critical access point for the Teesworks site has ramped up, with a new roundabout now beginning to take shape.

The £4.5million Eston Road roundabout scheme, led by Hartlepool-based Seymour Civil Engineering, will open up access to the Dorman Point area of the site, which will also become home to the proposed North East Energy Recovery Facility.

As well as the new roundabout, the major works include a further £1million project to divert major utilities, including high voltage electric cables and the water supply, with two major culverts constructed at Holme Beck.

The scheme will also see Eston Road widened, with a new footpath and cycleway along the eastern side of the road, providing pedestrian access where there previously was none.

The works, due to be complete by March next year, will support up to 50 jobs due to the wide array of trades and specialisms needed for it to be carried out.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “This new roundabout is vital to open up the west of the Teesworks site for all of the exciting projects set to be based there, and we’re also making improvements to the road itself to ensure it’s fit for purpose.

“Like the announcement just days ago that we’d kick-started work on our 1.2km South Bank Quay, it shows we’re not just knocking things down, we’re also building the site and its surrounding area back up, funding the infrastructure we need to attract investors and bring good-quality, well-paid jobs to the region

“Once again, we’re supporting our brilliant local businesses and workers in getting this work done and Seymour has previously been on-site at the Dorman Point zone, doing a great job of remediating the area. We’re backing local jobs right now as we work to secure more for generations to come.”

Mary Lanigan, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said: “To continue attracting world class industry and high quality jobs we need to ensure we have first rate infrastructure including roads and transport links, so it is very good to see this improvement. The fact that it is being completed by a Tees Valley business employing people from our area is fantastic.”

Adam Harker, Managing Director, Seymour Civil Engineering said: “As a local company, employing local people throughout Tees Valley, we are delighted to be delivering the vital infrastructure works which is key to further developments at Teesworks by providing the main access into Dorman Point. During our time on site, the fast pace of the changing landscape has been incredible to watch and we are immensely proud to be delivering the infrastructure which will be catalyst for future works.”