ACROSS Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool, we have developed a reputation as the global go-to place to develop ground-breaking green energy technology – delivering the cleaner, safer and healthier jobs of the future for local workers. And major announcements this month have further cemented this reputation.

Global energy firm Alfanar is set to make a £1bn investment into a ground-breaking sustainable aviation fuel production facility in Teesside. The project will create more than 700 jobs during construction, which is due to kick-off next year, and 240 full-time jobs when fully operational.

The plant will be the first of its kind in the UK and will convert household and commercial waste into 180m litres of green aviation fuel and liquid hydrocarbon naptha. The new fuel has the potential to produce 80 per cent less greenhouse gas than its fossil fuel equivalent.

The Northern Echo: The Cummins plant on Yarm Road in Darlington

Darlington-based engine manufacturer Cummins (above) has been at the forefront of engine development in the town since 1965. Now the firm is investing £14m to build a new state-of-the-art engine technology centre.

The new testing facility will mean Cummins can test a wide range of new technologies, including engines that run on hydrogen, renewable natural gas, or sustainable diesel as well as hydrogen fuel cell and battery electric powertrains.

We’ve already seen how Cummins’ position at the forefront of developments into hydrogen engines is securing hundreds of jobs and this new investment is another example of how they are creating even more good-quality, well-paid jobs by pushing forward net zero R&D.

2022 is our year of construction, and we’re going further faster to bring forward transformational projects that will massively improve the lives of local people. Improving our region’s railways is a key priority for me, and this month we’ve seen major progress on many improvements.

We’ve also made huge strides this month on improving transport across the region. Plans for the £105m redevelopment of Darlington railway station, a scheme I’m pushing forward with £25m, reached another major milestone with the successful compulsory purchase proceedings by Darlington council. Now there’s nothing stopping us getting spades in the ground which the people of the town, the wider region and firms based here, have been crying out for and deserve.

At Middlesbrough railway station we’ve secured planning permission for the second phase of our plans to transform the station. This comes just months after the completion of a major platform extension so the new LNER Azuma trains that are now running direct to London can be accommodated.

Important improvements for Eaglescliffe railway station have also moved a step closer. The long-overdue redevelopment of the station will see the existing ramps, which provide access to platforms, replaced with a new pedestrian footbridge and lifts to boost accessibility.

And we’ve been able to secure the £12m needed from government to bring the second platform at Hartlepool railway station back into use, along with new lifts and a footbridge. For as long as I can remember local people in Hartlepool have been crying out for the second platform to be brought back, and I’m delighted that we can now make this a reality with spades in the ground later this year.

From securing investment and jobs to pouring millions into improving our railways stations we’re transforming Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool for local people.

  • Ben Houchen is the Conservative mayor of the Tees Valley