WORK has started to extend a flagship business park, which could create more than 3,000 jobs at Newton Aycliffe.

Durham County Council has begun preparation work on a 52-hectare extension to Aycliffe Business Park known as Forrest Park.

The authority says the site will create 3,200 jobs and generate almost half a billion pounds for the local economy in the next 20 years.

Plans for the expansion have been in the pipeline for two years, and were given the go-ahead last year when Cities Minister Greg Clark announced the government would help fund the project.

The council has received £13m worth of funding from the Local Enterprise Partnership to help develop the site, which is adjacent to Hitachi Rail.

Initial work, due to be completed by the end of autumn next year, will see construction of a new junction on the A167 for better access to the new site and Aycliffe Business Park.

The council hopes the new site will receive £140m investment from private sector companies, as the improvements are designed to “remove existing barriers to the continued success and further expansion of Aycliffe Business Park.”

Simon Henig, leader of Durham County Council, said: “The decision by Hitachi to bring rail manufacturing back to its spiritual home in County Durham provided us with the opportunity of a lifetime.

“The significant role the council played in that decision, along with our partners, remains one of my proudest moments with the authority.

“To add to the success of what is already the largest business park in the region, by unlocking the new development on Forrest Park we hope to bring forward more than 3,000 jobs and add almost half a billion pounds to the economy over the next 20 years.

“This investment will firmly shine a light on Durham, demonstrating what a great place the county is for business.”

Aycliffe Business Park currently houses more than 250 companies including Ebac, Lucite and Compound Photonics.

Neil Foster, cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “Aycliffe Business Park has been phenomenally successful, creating thousands of local jobs.

“By removing the barriers to its expansion we will create the perfect environment for the private sector to step forward and make the most of the opportunities provided by Hitachi Rail, its wider supply chain and the cluster of manufacturing industries in the area.”

Darren Cumner, manufacturing plant manager at Hitachi Rail, said: “This expansion is excellent news for the area and the wider economy.”

“It will firmly put County Durham on the map as a county which stimulates investment and regeneration, and we are delighted to be part of it.”