County Durham infrastructure projects underway

County Durham is seeing significant infrastructure investment through two major projects aimed at supporting regional growth and public services.

Northumbrian Water and partner United Infrastructure are beginning a £354,000 project to install approximately 970 metres of new water main near Sedgefield. Scheduled to start in late September and last three months, the upgrade is designed to support domestic, commercial, and industrial expansion while protecting existing supplies. The work will involve traffic management along the A177, including the use of tunnelling techniques to minimize delays.

Separately, site preparation has commenced for the new £63.4 million Shotley Bridge Hospital at the former Consett Steelworks site. Led by Project Genesis, the initial phase involves clearing the site and installing essential infrastructure such as roads, drainage, and footpaths. Construction is expected to begin in autumn 2025, with the hospital projected to open in 2029 to serve the Consett and Derwent Valley areas.