PD Ports wins legal battle over access rights

ONE of the North East’s largest employers has won a legal case against a development corporation headed by Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen.

South Tees Development Corporation had taken action against PD Ports over rights of access to land on the south bank of the River Tees. The two parties clashed last year in the High Court in London and now a 96-page judgement has been published in which Mr Justice Rajah found that PD Ports has historic rights across three access routes.

The dispute centred on a right of way to part of the former Redcar steelworks. The 4,500-acre site is controlled by the development corporation but PD Ports – the operator of Teesport – said it had access rights to its property dating back more than a century. A number of claims for access on other routes were dropped.

The judgement – which is likely to cost both sides substantial legal fees – cements a difficult period for Mr Houchen, coming a week after publication of a critical report on some aspects of the nearby Teesworks project. The Government-commissioned report found no evidence of corruption or illegality but was highly critical of governance and transparency on the scheme.

Jerry Hopkinson, executive chairman at PD Ports, said: “The outcome of today’s ruling, which has seen PD Ports secure ongoing rights of access to South Gare and Redcar Bulk Terminal, and a right of access from Tees Dock across South Bank is a vindication of our defence of our long-held rights and the weight of evidence in our favour. Whilst we are naturally pleased at the outcome, we are very disappointed that this legal action was ever considered necessary by the South Tees Development Corporation and Teesworks.”