Billingham, South Tyneside and River Tyne benefit from Levelling Up

This government cash, which is the third instalment of levelling up funding, will see £20m handed to Billingham - and a vision has now been set out of what could be possible for the town. 

As part of the funding in Billingham, Stockton Council has an ambitious proposal for the town to take back control of the centre from the private owners and remodel it, after it had twice been knocked back for funding in the past.

This government cash, which is the third instalment of levelling up funding, will see £20m handed to Billingham (Image: LDR)

The regeneration of Billingham has sparked a political debate - with Conservatives saying the Labour-led council had been “sitting on” millions of pounds, while the Labour regeneration chief said they were “grasping at political straws”.

Now representatives on both sides have pointed to their parties’ efforts in contributing to the huge boost while accusing their opponents of doing nothing.

Councillor Niall Innes, Conservative parliamentary candidate for Stockton North, spoke of his “absolute joy” at the announcement. He said he and Stockton South MP Matt Vickers had been lobbying the government to secure the money.

Cllr Niall Innes & Jacob Young MP (Image: 4rt3r3r3)

He said: “This is absolutely fantastic news for Billingham, and further proof of a Conservative government putting money where its mouth is and investing in Teesside and the North East. I have said it before and I will keep saying it, Billingham is an amazing town with so much potential.

“Sadly, due to Labour neglect, Billingham, which used to be the home of British chemical manufacturing, has been let down. I have continued to call Labour out on their lack of action and interest in delivering for the town.

“Now, lobbying central government we have secured much needed investment for our town. This money will help to bring new jobs, opportunities, and life back to Billingham. Exciting times are ahead for our town.

Labour Party members Cllr Bob Cook, Alex Cunningham MP, Cllr Clare Gamble, Cllr Michelle Bendelow, Cllr Marc Besford, Cllr Mick Stoker, Cllr Paul Weston, Cllr Barry (Image: LDR)

“Stockton’s Labour council have alluded to investment in our town but it has never been forthcoming. Instead, they have spread doom and gloom rather than take action.

“Thanks to the strong voice of Matt Vickers in the south of the borough, investment was received. I have tried to be that strong voice for the north of our borough and fight Billingham’s corner. I am thrilled with the results.”

Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham, however, put the success down to the council’s bid, with ambitious proposals for the town to take back control of the centre from private owners and remodel it to better serve local people.

He said: “I’m delighted that the Tory government has finally seen sense and is now providing Billingham the funding it deserves to revitalise its town centre and support the local community.

“This decision is a testament to the bold vision and hard work of the Labour-led Stockton Borough Council and the Billingham Labour councillors who have been banging the drum for their communities for many years – all while the Stockton-on-Tees Tories do nothing but talk our borough down.

"Although it was disappointing that Billingham’s bid was rejected twice by the Tory government whilst more affluent areas were awarded funding, I’m really pleased ministers have now realised the quality of the council’s bid and are finally coughing up the cash.”

Cllr Innes said “nothing has materialised” despite £10m set aside in plans to purchase the town centre.

Cllr Nigel Cooke, the council’s cabinet member for regeneration, said they were putting together a masterplan for the town centre with hopes to complete a sports hub at the former Billingham Campus site in 2025 using £4m of Tees Valley Combined Authority money and potential Football Foundation funding.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has also welcomed the announcement of £20m for Billingham.

He said: "Billingham deserves more jobs, more investment and redevelopment of the town centre, so it’s fantastic to see this latest cash from the Government build on the transformation of Billingham Station and the £6m we allocated to Stockton Council specifically for the town in back in summer last year.

"With this new funding, it’s now crucial that Stockton Council get spades in the ground and get on with the job of delivering the improvements that local people have long been waiting for.

"There are no excuses for any delay in getting this cash to Billingham."

Elsewhere in the North East, funding of almost £20m to help create a restoration facility to sustain the use of the River Tyne and access to quays to support economic activities, unlocking over 700 new jobs, is part of the levelling up money.  

A fund of £20 million for South Tyneside will revitalise South Shields riverside through three highly impactful projects, including the redevelopment of the Grade II listed Customs House cultural hub, is also on the list of projects within the £1bn government money.

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Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said:  “Levelling Up means delivering locals people’s priorities and bringing transformational change in communities that have, for too long, been overlooked and undervalued.   

“Today we are backing 55 projects across the UK with £1 billion to create new jobs and opportunities, power economic growth, and revitalise local areas.  

“This funding sits alongside our wider initiatives to spread growth, through devolving more money and power out of Westminster to towns and cities, putting in place bespoke interventions to places that need it most, and our long-term plan for towns.”