Pictures show latest Stockton Waterfront development works

The development has seen Castlegate Shopping Centre and the Swallow Hotel levelled as part of the works.

The urban park is scheduled to open in 2026 and will include a large-scale play area for all ages.

The new images show the development starting to take shape as Riverside Road is narrowed and realigned.

Excavation work for the first section of the new road and new retaining walls has taken place, while piling mats have been installed for the upcoming piling works.

Piles will be used up to a depth of 20 metres and more than 320 rigid inclusions will be installed underneath the retaining walls.

Construction is well underway for the NHS’ new Community Diagnostic Centre for the Tees Valley, with the steel structure of the building in position.

Speaking in December of last year, Councillor Bob Cook, leader of Stockton Council, said: “I think it’s a great day for the borough. It’s the urban park which is going to open the river up to the High Street and you’ll be able to walk down there without having to negotiate the dual carriageway on the Riverside Road.

“There’ll be places where people can bring their kids. Hopefully it’ll be a destination place where people come into the town centre just to look around it and use it.

“I think we’ve got to change the concept of town centres. Town centres have got to change to make them more sustainable with retail, leisure, residential and other types of businesses.

“This will be the leisure part of it. I think it’s a big change and it’s the type of high street you need for the 21st century, a bit of everything.

“I think it’s innovative in the way we’re doing it to make sure the High Street changes. Further down the line we want to see more residential in the town centre as well.”