€9.3m port expansion completes readiness phase

The Trinity Rail, Road & Sea Enterprise Zone is one of two zones totalling 20 acres of development that have had a total of £8.2 million (€9.3 million) spent on road improvements to cater for future traffic flows along with a range of other infrastructure works.

Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council and chair of Port of Sunderland, said: “Port of Sunderland has undergone a programme of extensive infrastructure works, transforming it into a development-ready location, that is already proving increasingly attractive to investors.

“From global maritime services giant Boskalis to sustainable recycling specialists Wastefront and Quantafuel, the expansion of the port and ongoing infrastructure improvements have made the estate a highly investible proposition for businesses looking to capitalise on its strategic position on the North Sea coast and the city’s skilled workforce. This latest development will ensure we are able to maximise the economic advantage the port can provide the city and the wider region.”

Improvement works have been made to roads at the port, including repairs and new concrete sections to the 3km port perimeter road and a realignment of 350m of new flexible carriageway, that will enhance connectivity within the port and particularly its enterprise zone sites.

Environmental efficiencies and carbon reduction measures were also considered throughout the project, with Esh setting up an on-site processing system which saw more than 34,000m³ of excavated material, segregated, crushed, screened and re-used on site. Over 57 tonnes of hard to recycle waste has been diverted from landfill and instead recycled into biomass fuel.

The work – which was delivered by Durham based Esh Construction – is part of a wider programme of improvements under way at Port of Sunderland, which has also seen it benefit from improved rail connectivity, with refurbishment works carried out to its rail infrastructure following reconnection with the National Rail network. Enabling works have also been completed at the port on its East Shore Enterprise Zone site to provide a development area, which is expected to attract new investors to establish a permanent base there.