A well connected and integrated place
We want everyone to be able to easily access and move around the area. The urban park will help to connect the town centre with the River Tees once more.
We will create better links to the town centre, improve Thornaby Station and deliver healthy streets and improve signage.
Thornaby Station Transport Hub
A new transport gateway at Thornaby Station will welcome visitors to the Tees Valley. The hub will include rail, bus, cycle parking and car parking and it will connect to wider walking routes into Stockton and Thornaby.
A walkable town
The Blueprint plans to create a town where it is easy to walk by:
- creating landmark buildings, signage, wayfinding and crossings to help people navigate through the town
- developing safer, engaging routes and better road crossings to bring communities together
- creating more town centre living opportunities so that our residents can easily access services and facilities
- use developments like St Mark's Basin and the urban park to help connect the town centre with the Tees Valley Care and Health Innovation Zone
Car parking
We want to make sure there is convenient active travel and public transport so that not everyone has to rely on a car. The Blueprint aims to:
- support the use of Wellington Square shopping centre car park
- reduce the reliance on surface level car parking that is poor quality
- monitor parking needs and provide more parking when necessary
Wider regional connections
The improvement of Thornaby Station will make a better visitor experience. This fantastic new arrival destination will be supported by improved links to the town centre through the Tees Valley Care and Health Innovation Zone.
The Blueprint supports this by:
- including more facilities like parking, bus stops and cycling hire
- as the Marshalling Yards become open for development, there will be opportunities to connect the area with a new train station planned for Teesside Park
Challenges
Some of the challenges faced in achieving a better-connected Borough are:
- a limited connection between Stockton Town Centre and the Tees Valley Care and Health Innovation Zone due to the crossings on the River Tees
- connectivity issues due to the width of roads that loop around the town centre from some areas like Prince Regent Street
- Teesdale Business Park was designed for cars and is challenging for pedestrians
- people rely on cars, which increases congestion and car parking demands in central areas
Key areas
Town Centre North
Improving the route and signage to Stockton train station and exploring more use of Wellington Square Car Park.
Municipal Quarter
Streets will be pedestrian friendly and there will be improved connections between the River Tees and the town centre.
North Shore
The plans will better connect North Shore with the town centre and try to overcome barriers like the gyratory.
Stockton Waterways
Improve and restore our riverside leisure routes and mark with new signage.
Prince Regent Quarter
Improve connectivity along the main routes to the town centre across Prince Regent Street.
Castlegate Quay
Improve our links along the river through improvements to outdoor public spaces.
Tees Valley Care and Health Innovation Zone
Develop a new gateway hub at Thornaby Station. Create clear pedestrian routes through North Thornaby to link it with the town centre and create a new east to west 'Health Spine'.
Potential projects
Municipal Quarter - Active travel
Improved walking and cycling routes along the river and into Stockton.
Municipal Quarter - Healthy streets
Developments at Church Road will help encourage people to walk and cycle.
A reimagined Prince Regent Street
Prince Regent Street in Stockton will become a safe, walkable boulevard with more crossings and trees. This will create better connections across a dual carriageway and improve Dovecot Street.
It will also open up 'Prince Regent Quarter' as an opportunity for development.