Steel plant structures ‘could be a tourist attraction’

LABOUR’S CANDIDATE for Tees Valley Mayor, Jessie Joe Jacobs, has suggested some of Teesside’s iconic steel structures could be made into a permanent tourist attraction.

Ms Jacobs referenced the ‘Landschaftspark’, in DuisburgMeiderich, Germany, for inspiration. The public park is closely associated with a coal and steel plant that went before it and puts many old industrial structures to new use.

Plans to redevelop the ‘Teesworks’ site at Redcar, which formerly housed the SSI steel plant, are set to see a number of structures demolished including the blast furnace and coke ovens.

But support is growing to retain some buildings, including the imposing Dorman Long Tower, which was originally used to store coal for the coke process.

Ms Jacobs said members of the public had “massively engaged” with the idea after she posted it on her Facebook page.

She said: “It is imperative to create the right environment for future business and employment and of course we can’t live in the past. We absolutely need to regenerate the site to bring new industry and quality jobs, but surely we can still treat our steel heritage with the care and respect it deserves?

“Other places across the globe such as Landschaftspark, in Germany, which is now a world famous tourist attraction, have found ways to protect their heritage while creating jobs and a future for the area.

“We must explore all options.” Current Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, a Conservative, has said he wants to hear from former steelworkers and residents in Redcar and further afield about how they want to recognise and preserve the history and heritage of the steelworks.