Swimming pool, park and cycle improvements planned in Thornaby

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council is to submit business case documents setting out priority interventions that, it says, would bring long term change and investment into Thornaby after it received £23.9million from the government’s Town Deal.

The interventions have been identified and supported by Thornaby Town Deal Board, which is made up of a range of local stakeholders from public and private sector bodies, including Thornaby councillors.

Demolition of the vacant Phoenix House building will enable the creation of a new swimming pool which will connect into the existing Pavilion leisure centre.

Once complete, the existing Thornaby Pool will close, ensuring continuity of provision and a modern, fit for purpose leisure offering for the town.

Thornaby Pool in its current condition. Picture: GOOGLE

Also included in proposals is the relocation of prestigious training facility NETA, which is part of the Education Training Collective (ETC), from its existing location in Portrack Lane to a 6,000sqm modern, purpose-built facility as part of a redeveloped site adjacent to Stockton Riverside College in Thornaby-on-Tees.

A series of improvements to Victoria Park and Community Centre and investment in 'Safer Streets' in North Thornaby through home improvements, alley gates and CCTV are also being proposed.

Read more: North East funding slashed by millions after Brexit 'catastrophic'

A more joined up network of cycle routes is also being planned, running from Thornaby Station and Stockton Riverside College, through the northern section of Thornaby through Alison Trainer Park, the town centre, Trenchard Avenue and Thornaby Road. Connecting with existing cycle infrastructure in the south.

Taking control of the Golden Eagle site in Thornaby Town Centre also remains a priority for the Town Deal Board, with negotiations underway. 

The priorities, identified and supported by the Town Deal Board, will be considered at the council's cabinet meeting on Thursday, April 21. If agreed, the Council will submit the business case documentation to Government in May.

Councillor Nigel Cooke

Councillor Nigel Cooke, cabinet member for regeneration and housing at Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, said: "The creation of these interventions is the next step in our journey to delivering the change that the people of Thornaby want to see. 

"A new swimming pool will expand Thornaby's town centre offering to include a brand-new facility attached to the Pavilion. It's a prime location in the heart of the town and is sure to be a significant footfall generator.

"It's also fantastic to be able to work in partnership with NETA and Stockton Riverside College to bring such a fantastic training facility to Thornaby.

"These proposals, along with an improved cycle link and improvements to North Thornaby are sure to create real transformational change in the town."

Thornaby was identified as one of 101 towns to be included as part of the Government's Town Deal programme in 2019.

The Town Deal Board has been working over the last year to develop the interventions that were based on the four priorities that were the basis of the Town Investment Plan:

• Tackle long term vacant properties in town centre to enable new development and change of use.
• Support to enhance the delivery of skills training for Thornaby residents, linked to further education provision.
• Deliver new footpath and cycle infrastructure linking Thornaby Station, college, town centre and key residential areas and employment sites.
• Address poor quality housing in North Thornaby.

Stockton SOuth COnservative MP Matt Vickers said: "I am delighted that these projects that have been made possible thanks to the Prime Minister's Town Deal grant have now been settled on by the Town Deal Board and stakeholders.

"The new NETA facility will provide Thornaby with a top-notch training facility, helping to develop skills and expertise so that local people can land excellent new jobs.

"The new swimming pool, as requested by residents in my local surveys, cycle links and further investment in North Thornaby will go a long way in expanding the offering of Thornaby town centre and rejuvenating parts of the town which have seen better days."

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated Teesside Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054