Willmott Dixon has been awarded a £22.9m contract to deliver a ‘futuristic’ multi-storey car park in the Baltic Quarter of Gateshead Quays
Appointed by Gateshead Council through the Scape National Major Works framework, the project will deliver 1,000 parking spaces in the Baltic Quarter of Gateshead.
The scheme is as part of an extensive regeneration of the area, which also includes a arena, conference and exhibition centre, anticipated to create around 2,000 new jobs and transform the Gateshead quayside.
The development will mark the 12th project delivered for Gateshead Council by Willmott Dixon.
The ‘futuristic’ car park will see the delivery of a 10-storey steel-framed facility. There will also be 50 Electric Vehicle charge points, with the future potential provision of a further 300.
Other features include a new pay on exit parking management system, a dedicated disabled parking area and spaces for motorcycles.
To reduce the carbon footprint of the building, a large array of photovoltaic (PV) panels will be situated above the top level of parking. Additional biodiversity measures are being implemented including a net gains adjustment.
The car park will link to a new road running through Baltic Quarter, which will connect Gateshead Quays with the A184 Felling Bypass. The road will contain a 30m wide landscaped corridor, lined with a boulevard of trees and contains sustainable urban drainage (SuDS).
The plans also include walking and cycling routes, and the provision of habitats that encourage biodiversity.
‘An important piece of a larger jigsaw’
Peter Udall, strategic director economy, innovation and growth at Gateshead Council, said: “We are very excited to see this crucial piece of the Newcastle Gateshead Quays infrastructure work start on site.
“The car park is essential to arena, conference and exhibition centre development, but will also provide much needed parking for the new Grade-A Riga office building and further developments on Baltic Quarter into the future.
“This is an important piece of a larger jigsaw that will be a catalyst for further development and the opportunities for new jobs and local businesses.”
Anthony Dillon, managing director for Willmott Dixon in the North, added: “We are delighted to once again be working with Gateshead Council on this exciting and integral project as part of the transformation of the Gateshead Quays.
“Supporting local jobs and generating prosperity is at the heart of our business and through our extensive portfolio of work in the region, we have developed an expert local supply chain.
“Across the 11 projects we have previously delivered for Gateshead Council, we’ve invested more than £63.8m with local businesses within 20 miles of our projects and look forward to furthering this.”
