Contractors Accommodation in Durham

There is a lot of on-going construction sites in and around Durham. Some of the major projects include:

Mount Oswald mixed‑use development
The scheme increases housing supply including student and private homes, easing demand on the private rental market and supporting affordability. Construction activity generates local jobs and spending for trades and suppliers. New homes and community facilities boost footfall for nearby shops, cafes and services, while enhanced infrastructure and public spaces aim to raise neighbourhood quality and long‑term property values.

Aykley Heads site redevelopment
Redevelopment of this large brownfield site creates new employment floorspace and housing, diversifying the local economy beyond public sector roles. The project stimulates construction employment and attracts private-sector investment, leading to increased business rates and local supply‑chain opportunities. New commercial and green spaces are expected to improve accessibility and leisure options for residents, supporting broader regeneration of adjacent communities.

NETPark (North East Technology Park) expansion
Expansion of the science and innovation park drives high‑value job creation in advanced manufacturing, electronics and research, strengthening the regional tech cluster. Growth attracts inward investment, supports university–industry collaboration, stimulates local supply chains and boosts demand for specialist skills and training. The presence of more R&D firms increases opportunities for graduate retention and higher‑wage employment in the local economy.

Durham University campus and facilities investment
Ongoing campus building and refurbishment increase capacity for students, research and teaching, generating academic and professional jobs and recurrent spending by students and staff in the city. Enhanced research facilities foster innovation partnerships and potential spin‑outs, contributing to knowledge‑economy growth. Additional campus activity supports the hospitality, retail and housing sectors while encouraging cultural and community programming that benefits residents.

Durham Cathedral and public realm conservation works
Conservation and improvement projects safeguard heritage assets that underpin the visitor economy, sustaining spending in hotels, restaurants, shops and cultural attractions. Investment in public realm enhances the experience for residents and tourists, supporting longer stays and repeat visits. Skills development and contracts linked to conservation create local employment and training opportunities in specialist trades.

Explore the diverse transport options available in Durham, from efficient public transportation systems to convenient road networks. Whether you're commuting to work or exploring the city, this section will give you an overall look at the available transportation systems.

Public Transit System
- Rail (Durham station) - Serves the city on the East Coast Main Line with frequent regional and inter-city services (operators include LNER and Northern) giving direct and frequent connections to Newcastle, Darlington, York, Leeds and London King’s Cross; station is within easy walking distance of the city centre and University.
- Local buses - Dense local and regional bus network serving the city, university, suburbs and surrounding County Durham; services are run by operators such as Go North East (major operator) and other regional firms, with frequent routes on main corridors and more limited services evenings/weekends.
- Park & Ride services - Park-and-ride sites on approaches to the city provide frequent bus links into the centre to reduce city-centre traffic, aimed at commuters, shoppers and tourists (operated on scheduled timetables with seasonal variations).
- Coach & long-distance bus services - National and regional coach operators provide occasional direct and through services to major UK cities and airports (useful for lower-cost intercity travel and connections not covered by rail).
- Taxis and private hire / app-based services - Licensed taxis, private-hire vehicles and app-based ride-hailing operate across the city for on-demand point-to-point travel; taxi ranks located at the station and in the city centre.
- Community transport & accessible services - Community minibuses, volunteer car schemes and Dial-a-Ride style services support those with mobility needs and areas with limited scheduled bus coverage.

Major Highways
- A1(M) / A1 - Primary north–south trunk route providing rapid access north to Newcastle and south to Darlington and the national motorway network (A1(M) links further south to the M1 corridor).
- A690 - Major east–west route connecting Durham city centre to Sunderland, and to the A1/A1(M) routes; important for local commuting and regional access.
- A167 - Key local trunk road running through/near Durham and providing an alternative north–south link alongside the A1 corridor, connecting to Newcastle and Darlington.
- A689 - Connects Durham westwards to Bishop Auckland and the surrounding towns; important for local and cross-county trips.
- A688 / A177 (local arterial roads) - Series of arterial routes linking the city to nearby towns and rural areas, supporting commuter and freight movements across County Durham.

Cycling Infrastructure
- Cycle network & routes - A mixture of on-road cycle lanes, widened/shared-use footways and off-road greenway paths and signed cycle routes linking the city centre, university, suburbs and nearby villages (including connections into parts of the National Cycle Network); central Durham’s medieval streets limit segregation in places, but local councils have been improving routes, signage and bike parking to encourage active travel.

Recent and Upcoming Improvements
- Station area & accessibility improvements - Ongoing station and forecourt upgrades and better pedestrian links around Durham station aimed at improving interchange between rail, bus, walking and cycling and enhancing accessibility for passengers.
- Park-and-ride and bus service enhancements - Investment in park-and-ride capacity and timetable improvements to reduce city-centre congestion and provide more reliable, frequent public transport links (including targeted seasonal/tourist service upgrades).
- Highway & junction upgrades - Localised A1/A1(M) junction improvements, resurfacing and targeted capacity works on key approaches to Durham to improve traffic flow, safety and reliability on the primary road network.
- Active travel & cycling schemes - Delivery of local authority-funded active travel projects (cycle lane extensions, improved crossing points, secure cycle parking) backed by national government funds to encourage walking and cycling for short trips.
- Bus fleet & service modernisation - Gradual introduction of newer, lower-emission buses on some routes, digital ticketing improvements and real-time passenger information to make bus travel more attractive and reliable.
- EV charging & low-emission infrastructure - Expansion of public electric vehicle charging points across the city and council-led initiatives to support low-emission transport and future-proof commuter options.

If you are looking for contractors accommodation in Durham for a short or extended stay - we can help. We provide serviced accommodation to contractors, workers, engineers, and business managers working away from home. With a range of central and easy access locations in Durham, our properties provide the perfect stay for your teams. If your team is working Monday to Friday or 7 days a week we have self-catering serviced accommodation options to suit the needs of your business.