The Weardale Task Force

Who is the Weardale Task Force?

Weardale Task Force is a made up of partners from One NorthEast, Lafarge Cement UK, Wear Valley District Council and Durham County Council. It was set up to deliver integrated regeneration in the area and aims to provide a sustainable and viable future following the closure of major sources of employment.

The Task Force is behind over thirty projects in Weardale, including seven ‘flagship’ projects, as outlined in the ‘Renewing Weardale – the Way Forward’ strategy.

Renewing Weardale – The Way Forward

‘Renewing Weardale – the Way Forward’ is a strategy, devised by Wear Valley District Council, on behalf of the Weardale Task Force for the economic regeneration of Weardale.

It presents an innovative approach to ‘rural renaissance’ through an integrated rural development plan, proposing a variety of initiatives driven by seven flagship projects:

• redevelopment of the Eastgate cement works site
• establishment of the Weardale Railway ‘Heritage Line’
• development of a ‘high-spec’ business park
• development of major tourist attraction at Harperley
• development of a ‘rural bureau’ as a new, co-ordinated and integrated business support system
• implementation of the Stanhope Market Town Initiative
• a new broadband ICT network for the dale

The full strategy document can be viewed on the Wear Valley District Council website: www.wearvalley.gov.uk/media/pdf/9/t/renewing_weardale.pdf.