Why is there a modern coastal steel works at Redcar-Lackenby?

The initial advantage of this area was the availability of raw materials such as coal (Durham Coalfield), Lime stone (North Yorkshire and Durham) and Iron Ore (Cleveland Hills) for the early iron and steel industry.

Nowadays the main heavy industry in this area is steel manufacturing. In 1976 one of the four remaining integrated iron and steel works in The UK was constructed at Red-Car Lackenby on the River Tees. The steel works is located at the mouth of the River Tees. Can you find it on the map below? (Move your mouse over its location)

Image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service.
Image reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.

There are a number of reasons for this location:

1. There are large areas of flat, reclaimed land near the mouth of the river.
2. The River Tees is a deep water port. This is essential for importing raw materials (coals, iron ore and Limestone) from cheaper markets in Europe and exporting steel around the world.
3. The river provides water necessary in the manufacturing process
4. The estuary is downwind from the main urban areas on Teeside. Therefore air pollution disperses over the North See
4. Skilled labour force