Halton residents asked to give their views on Mersey Gateway regeneration strategy
Local people in Halton are being asked for their views on how the Mersey Gateway project can bring the best possible regeneration benefits to Halton at a special event next week.
The public is being invited to visit an exhibition outlining the project’s current ideas on regeneration at The Brindley Theatre and Arts Centre in Runcorn on Wednesday 12th December between 2pm and 6pm.
The exhibition will include a series of information boards and a range of specialist consultants will be on hand to hear the views and priorities of local people and businesses. The team is particularly keen to hear comments on the initial ideas for investment and key issues that need to be addressed in the regeneration strategy.
Five key regeneration issues have been identified. They are:
- Physical environment
- Economy
- Housing
- Deprivation
- Green space and the public realm
Specialist planning consultancy GVA Grimley has been commissioned to prepare a regeneration strategy for the project. This strategy will look at how the Mersey Gateway can bring about and maximise the economic, physical, social and environmental regeneration opportunities for local communities in Halton.
This exhibition is part of the first phase of consultation on this specific aspect of the project, and is looking specifically at the key regeneration issues in the areas of South Widnes, Halton Lea, Astmoor Industrial Estate, Wigg Island, Runcorn Old Town and Rocksavage and Clifton. A similar exhibition, targeted specifically at local residents, has already taken place in South Widnes.
Further exhibitions will be held in both Runcorn and Widnes early in 2008 so local people can give their views on the specific options developed for the regeneration strategy.
Councillor Tony McDermott, Leader of Halton Borough Council and Chair of the Mersey Gateway Executive Board said: “The Mersey Gateway project creates a number of exciting regeneration opportunities on both sides of the river and it is vital that we plan carefully to make sure we make the most of this once in a lifetime opportunity to transform parts of Widnes and Runcorn. That makes this regeneration strategy vital and shows that the Mersey Gateway has always been about much more than just a new bridge over the river.”
Steve Nicholson, Mersey Gateway Project Director, said: “This is very different to the broader public consultation exercise that we undertook earlier this year as it looking in detail at specific areas in the borough. We are keen to hear the views of as many people as possible as part of this process.”
