THE latest options for the regeneration of Widnes and Runcorn have been unveiled.
They focus on five areas affect- ed by the planned Mersey Gate- way bridge, which will see tolls introduced on both bridges.
The Mersey Gateway is a £390m project that would provide a new bridge over the River Mersey between Runcorn and Widnes, and is scheduled to open in 2014.
The travelling exhibition features a number of possible options for the development of Widnes West Bank, Runcorn old town, Astmoor Industrial Estate, Halton Lea and Rocksavage and Clifton following public consultation last year.
Iain Jenkinson, director with consultants GVA Grimley, said: “This is a long-term proposal that looks 20-30 years in the future, but it is important that we get the detail right now”.
Proposals include:
Area One: Widnes West Bank, the area east of the existing Silver Jubilee Bridge.
Key objectives are to re-brand, allowing development of high quality business use and leisure facilities, improve housing stock; increase job opportunities; improve pedestrian and vehicle access and improve safety and security for residents.
Option One: Potential mixed use of office and commercial areas, green spaces and leisure includ- ing a new waterfront boulevard along the River Sankey, and a new site for a neighbourhood centre.
Option Two: Builds upon option one and downgrades the A533 to a C road.
Area Two: Runcorn Old Town.
Key objectives are to increase diversity of housing; high quality public spaces; build on the market characteristics; improve vehicle and pedestrian access; improve and upgrade Runcorn Station.
Option One: Retain the Runcorn Loops road system; build offices, hotel and car park; keep the opt- ion of linking Bridgewater Canal to the Manchester Ship Canal.
Option Two: Same as option one with the removal of the Runcorn Loops road system.
Area Three: Astmoor Industrial Estate
Key objectives are to relocate businesses affected/displaced by the new bridge.
Option One: Build offices and accommodation. Transform the estate into a vibrant, successful area; improve employment opportunities and create jobs.
Option Two: Demolish vacant plots; create green spaces; build high quality accommodation and new retail and leisure facilities.
Area Four: Halton Lea and the wider area
Key objectives are to improve convenience of the shopping area and make it more attractive; improve night time activity.
Option: Bring Vesric House and Grosvenor House into employment use; create town park; extend shopping area onto East Lane; develop Southgate Power Station to complement Hallwood Park residential estate; attract high quality retailers.
Area Five: Rocksavage and Clifton
Key objectives are to use the Weaver Canal, Sutton Quays and local woodland; create a business start up area; use an alternative energy supply; maximise use of contaminated land and improve pedestrian links to the Weaver Canal.
Option One: Promote leisure and Sutton Quays employment park; create a roundabout gateway area.
Option Two: Create an employment village on contaminated land.
The exhibition is at Brindley Theatre and Arts Centre, Runcorn, today from 2pm-7pm. For more information visit www.merseygateway.co.uk
OPINION: PAGE 10
laurasharpe
