A DARLINGTON company is opening a new office in Newport, Wales.

Cleveland Bridge UK Ltd will create 12 new jobs in sales, design, engineering and project management, on the Langstone Business Park.

The company has experienced an upturn in activity in the south of England and Wales which contributed to two consecutive profitable years. Profits of £4m in 2016 were up more than £1.5m on the previous year.

The projects included the design, build and installation of a 228-tonne, 50m steel road bridge crossing the Great Western Main Line in Newport.

The project, undertaken for Network Rail, was part of a significant overhead line electrification programme.

Fabricated in the North East, it was transported to South Wales by road and assembled prior to installation by Cleveland Bridge engineers in a trackside temporary works compound in Newport.

Other recent Welsh projects included the Newtown Bypass, Bridge Newport, and Porthmadog Bridge.

Andrew Morris, head of infrastructure, said: “South Wales is strategically important for Cleveland Bridge. Opening a large office here will enable us to strengthen our Welsh team and provide closer support to the Welsh infrastructure and construction sectors as well as the South East and South West of England.

“It will also allow us to take advantage of the wealth of skilled people from the area that will help Cleveland Bridge further grow its market share.”