Abandon Idea of Building on Park - Education Chiefs

In a report to be presented to Stockton Council's Cabinet next Thursday, Officers of the Council recommend that no further work be done on the suggestion that Preston Park would be the right place to rebuild Egglescliffe School. Finding money for the suggested foot bridge over the Tees (which would also have "significant engineering issues"), upgrading needed on the road network and the re-location of Quarry Road Allotments would "pose significant legal, logistical and financial challenges ... taken together with the envisaged technical difficulties".

Maureen Rigg, Liberal Democrat councillor for Eaglescliffe Ward, said, "I've every hope that the Council's Cabinet will accept this recommendation. Thousands of people expressed their horror at the idea, showing how much Preston Park is appreciated. To us it was quite clear that the idea was impractical without the need for an investigation, but I hope that these findings will put off anyone else with ideas of building on the Park. My fellow ward councillors (Alan Lewis and John Fletcher) and I pledge to work both for a solution to Egglescliffe School's need for new buildings and for the continued improvement of Preston Park as the jewel in this borough's crown