Mersey Gateway Project signs research agreement with University of Salford
The Mersey Gateway Project has signed a special research agreement with the University of Salford.
The new ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ will pave the way for closer working links between the project team and the University of Salford throughout the three and a half year construction works and beyond into the operational life of the project.
It could lead to new funding streams for activity associated with the project, more educational opportunities for local school, college and university students in Halton and the surrounding area, and a wide range of innovative projects and studies taking place in the river and on the land in Halton.
The two parties have been working together on various projects over the last seven years but this new and more formal link-up between the Mersey Gateway Crossings Board and the University takes this to a new level.
The Mersey Gateway team is also working closely with other universities in the region, but this is the first formal agreement it has reached to share expertise and information and collaborate on joint projects.
Steve Nicholson, Project Director of the Mersey Gateway Crossings Board, said: “There are two main areas where we will be collaborating – construction work and environmental activities. This gives us a great opportunity to share knowledge with and learn from leading academic experts in the field, and it will inevitably bring more learning opportunities for school children and young people in Halton and the north west, so we’re delighted to be signing this agreement today.”
Professor Nigel Mellors, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research & Enterprise at the University of Salford, said: “It is fantastic for us as a University to have access to such an interesting and exciting project that covers so many different areas that will be of benefit to our research programmes and our students. I know from our work together so far that the potential for this link-up is very exciting.”
Stephen Cardwell, Project Director for construction consortium Merseylink, said: “It will be important for us to work closely with schools, colleges and universities over the coming years so we can make sure that local people and the engineers, environmental managers and bridge builders of the future learn at first hand how a complex project like this is developed and operated. We’re delighted to be involved.”