POLITICIANS have criticised a protest that led to motorists abandoning their vehicles on the A66.

Commuters were caught in long delays on the A66 and Tees Dock Road area in Middlesbrough after around 60 protestors halted traffic.

The demonstration is linked to working conditions and the use of foreign labour at MGT Power, a renewable energy plant under construction at Teesport

The A66 eastbound between Normanby Road and Tees Dock was completely blocked, and there were also delays on surrounding routes.

The Northern Echo:

Cleveland Police warned drivers on Monday night ahead of the protest. They also advised those using public transport to seek alternative routes to avoid the protest which began at around 5.30am.

The force also confirmed they received reports that motorists were abandoning vehicles as industrial action affected traffic flow in the area.

Officers threatened to remove them at the cost of the owner.

A spokesperson for Cleveland Police said this morning: "Just a reminder that a workers' protest is affecting traffic on the A66/Tees Dock Road area.

"There is severe traffic congestion on the A66 due to the planned industrial action, and there are currently around 60 protesters on scene."

"Please allow extra time for your journey or seek alternate route if possible."

Bus operator Stagecoach reported severe delays to its services, with traffic blocking its depot. 

A spokesperson for Outwood Academy Bydales in Marske, near Redcar, said: "Please be aware that due to the A66 being shut due to protests, we’ve just been informed that Stage carriage services from New Marske and Mickledales, Redcar to the academy are not running this morning.

"Please can parents/students be aware and make alternative arrangements."

In a statement, Redcar MP Anna Turley said: “I am really disappointed that this protest is happening this morning.

"It is causing massive disruption and is incredibly counterproductive when MGT are actually setting a really good example of community engagement with this power plant project.

“80 per cent of the workforce are from Teesside and the surrounding areas, with less than five per cent of the labour from overseas. They have worked constructively with the trade unions, are paying NAECI blue book rates, and have funded an employment hub in Grangetown, with two full time employees and two apprentices, to give local people access to opportunities at the site.

“We want other companies to come and bring jobs and invest in our area and to operate on the same lines as MGT, but protests like this undermine the case I have been trying to make to investors to work with the trade unions and employ local labour. It is wrong to blame MGT for previous failures in local recruitment by other construction projects.

“At a time when we are fighting tooth and nail to get more resources for the police, this is also taking attention away from where those resources are desperately needed, and disrupting local residents from their daily business.

“I will always support protests where they are justified but this protest is for the wrong reasons, and sends the wrong message to those looking to invest in Teesside.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen added: “I am bitterly disappointed in today’s protest. MGT are a fantastic local company that has invested £650million in the South Tees Development Corporation area creating hundreds of jobs for local people  – this is no way to repay them.

“The Development Corporation to date has now received 87 enquiries, and we should be in a position to announce a huge, multi-billion pound project in the coming weeks but this is not a good advert for our area and it is completely unjustified.”

A statement issued on behalf of MGT Teesside said: "The Tees REP project currently employs more than 500 people. Approximately 80 per cent of the workforce are from Teesside and neighbouring areas.


"Tees REP is a ‘Blue Book’ project, meaning that it adheres to the terms and conditions of employment for hourly-paid engineering construction workers set by the National Agreement for the Engineering Construction
Industry (NAECI).


"Companies contracted by the project have signed an agreement with the Unite and GMB trade unions stipulating that hourly pay rates and allowances will comply with NAECI rules.

"Work will occasionally be carried out on site that requires skills and experience unavailable in Teesside, but there is no competitive or financial advantage in hiring non-local labour.


"We have financed the creation of a Training and Employment Hub in Grangetown to help maximise employment opportunities for local people that currently supports approximately 112 jobs.

"Overall, the Hub has helped more than 500 people find work since it was established last year. Furthermore, around 120 Teesside-based companies including sub-contractors and suppliers benefit from the project.

"We are in dialogue with representatives of the protestors and are working with the council and police to minimise the disruption caused to the remainder of our workforce, other Teesport-based businesses and local residents."


A Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council spokesperson said: “We are working with partners, including the police, to ensure safety on the roads and the smooth running of traffic.

"We have close relations with the contractor responsible for construction on site, Tecnicas Reunidas, and its sub-contractors and unions and hope this issue can be dealt with swiftly.

"MGT has committed to making local residents aware of opportunities at the project and we monitor that they and each of their sub-contractors comply with that obligation”.