Q: What is the SMI and what we do?
A: Launched in 2005, The Stockton - Middlesbrough Initiative is the long-term framework that will bind together every development in the towns over the next 20 years. It is jointly led by Stockton-on-Tees and Middlesbrough Councils, and is backed by a range of partner organisations from throughout the North East.
The SMI is a 20-year vision for regenerating the urban core of the Tees Valley. It focuses on the 250-hectare area along the banks of the River Tees between the two town centres of Stockton and Middlesbrough. Building on the economic assets of the wider sub-region, our aim is to create a distinctive high-quality city-region at the heart of the Tees Valley, worthy of 650,000 people.
The urban core of Stockton and Middlesbrough lie at the heart of the Tees Valley conurbation, encompassing the two town centres and the River Tees corridor that joins them. It is an area with significant potential based around the development of high quality riverside sites and the creation of a city-scale infrastructure and atmosphere that builds on the strengths of both towns.
The SMI Strategic Context - The Northern Way
The government's growth strategy, Moving Forward: The Northern Way, outlines the new regeneration framework for the whole of the north. As one of eight city-regions identified in The Northern Way, the Tees Valley must take this opportunity.
We must create the right environment to thrive and be competitive on a regional, national and international level. To do this, the Tees Valley must develop itself as a distinctive high-quality city-region.
However, the lack of a coherent city-scale presence at the geographical core of the Tees Valley will continue to hold back its development unless it is addressed in a strategic and collaborative way.
The task is to create a place in which people want to invest, live, work and visit. This means focusing on the key things that can transform the area and doing them well. Size matters when it comes to asset building, but it is vital that the assets created here are of sufficient quality to be truly competitive.
By creating a green-blue heart of land and water-based assets within the urban core of the Tees Valley, the Stockton - Middlesbrough Initiative is moving towards the creation of a genuine city-region.
A successful city needs a number of components that come together to provide a spectrum of cityness - a multi layered approach that provides a city scale environment.
Q: What are the key projects?
A: Upgrading the Tees White Water Course adjacent to the Barrage to make it the best in the UK. The proposals will involve installing sustainable pumps to drive the course as well as reconfiguring the course itself. Development of the proposals is well advanced and should be on site late in 2008.
- Seeking further development of land immediately adjacent to the Barrage hopefully to provide another visitor attractor to this part of the river corridor.
- Working with the two railway companies, EWS and Network Rail, to reconfigure and subsequently develop the 53 hectare Tees Yard. The site has potential to house up to 2,500 homes with associated open space, commercial, educational and health facilities.
- Maintaining and improving 3 key wildlife habitats – Portrack Marsh and Billingham Beck north of the river and Maze Park to the south.
- Developing the triangle of land at South West Ironmasters following the provision of new road access for a mix of commercial and open space purposes.
- Retaining the site of the former Stockton Incinerator as an opportunity to accommodate a significant public or private investment in the future.
- Improving and upgrading the footpath, cycleway and general environment of the river corridor itself.
These proposals comprise the next key phase of regeneration of the urban core and will be programmed to follow on from the work taking place in both town centres and on the two Tees Valley regeneration led sites at North Shore in Stockton and Middlehaven in Middlesbrough.
Q: Who does SMI report to/is accountable to?
A: SMI is governed by a three tier governance structure involving Chief Executives and the corporate management teams from both authorities, senior representatives from partner agencies and partner authorities with key decisions directed to a joint meeting of Elected Members.
The following meeting structure is in place:
- Monthly meetings reporting to senior management from both Authorities
- Quarterly meetings with the Chief Executive Officer’s of both Authorities with papers and minutes circulated to partner agencies including ONE, TVR, English Partnerships, GONE, British Waterways and Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council.
- Quarterly meeting with elected members from both Authorities
Q: How does SMI work with partners?
A: SMI works with partner agencies on a project by project basis, regular update meetings and through input into large scale strategic projects and regional/sub regional strategies and policy. SMI further liaises with partner agencies through the SMI governance structure.
Q: How do I get involved?
A: See the contact us link on the home page or call 01642 260800
