Esh Construction has completed two major schemes for Sunderland City Council, marking important progress in the Riverside Sunderland regeneration programme.

Delivered in partnership with the council, the projects have reshaped key parts of the riverside, boosting connectivity, enhancing public spaces and supporting the city’s long-term growth ambitions.

At Sheepfolds, Esh has finished a public realm scheme around the Stadium of Light and Sheepfolds Stables, installing high-quality pedestrian infrastructure and strengthening links between the city centre, the stadium and the wider Sheepfolds development area.

Work has also concluded at Riverside Park, a significant new green space within the wider Riverside Sunderland masterplan, where the Southern Gateway and Kingsley Gardens have been overhauled. The Southern Gateway connects the Farringdon Row neighbourhood and Riverside multi-storey car park with the new Sunderland Strategic Eye hospital, the Vaux housing development and the central business district.

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A centrepiece of the Sheepfolds scheme is a new pedestrian overpass spanning the site’s historic cobbled wagonway. The former industrial route has been restored and integrated into a modern, accessible thoroughfare, providing a direct link between the Stadium of Light, Sheepfolds Stables and Keel Square, with onward access to the city centre.

Alongside the overpass, the project has delivered upgraded pedestrian and cycle routes featuring natural stone paving, new trees and landscaping, plus sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) to support future development phases.

The Sheepfolds area was temporarily opened during the summer to help accommodate crowds attending the 2026 Women’s Rugby World Cup, giving visitors an early look at the improved public realm.

Just a short walk over the River Wear from Sheepfolds, the Southern Gateway now features a new park entrance, landscaped spaces, ponds and social areas aimed at increasing biodiversity and encouraging public use. Kingsley Gardens has been created as a community growing space to promote healthy living and social interaction.

With both sites handed back to Sunderland City Council, attention is now on preparing the new spaces for public use in the coming weeks.

Across the schemes, Esh has reinvested £2.5 million into the local economy through its supply chain and delivered wider social value via local employment, apprentice opportunities and community initiatives. Two Sunderland apprentices worked on the projects, and the team supported a council-led Riverside clean-up.

Esh also made donations of £2000, £750 and £250 to Expo Sunderland, Hopewood Park and children’s charity Love, Amelia respectively.