Road to shut for rest of year

'BEST SOLUTION' AS PROJECT HITS 'UNFORESEEN DIFFICULTIES'

- By GARETH LIGHTFOOT

RIVERSIDE Road in Stockton will close until the end of the year after the town centre's Waterfront development was hit by “unforeseen technical difficulties” with cabling.

Stockton Council's leaders say the closure is the best way of keeping the flagship development on budget and on track for opening in spring 2026.

The road which has already been reduced to two lanes for almost 18 months - will close, along with Riverside Car Park, from Monday, May 26.

It has been revealed the ambitious Stockton Waterfront works for a “stunning urban park” were delayed since a utility company found it had to do more work than expected to divert cables running through the site. It took four months to complete diversion work.

Cllr Paul Rowling, the council's deputy leader and cabinet member for resources and transport, said: “For reasons that were beyond our control we have had to make the decision.