News

26 May 2005
8M Waterside leisure scheme unveiled

Local dignitaries today helped unveil plans for a unique leisure scheme that will regenerate waterside areas in Halton,

“The Bridgewater Way” will encourage new uses such as cycling, provide better access and introduce public areas of interest including sculptures and information points along the 65km (39 miles) length of the Bridgewater Canal towpath.

Construction has already begun on phases 1a and 1b of the scheme that will see the transformation of the towpath through the heart of the Town.  The length of towpath from Waterloo Bridge in Runcorn Old Town to Bates Bridge, off Halton Road is being made user friendly with new surfaces that will enable wheelchair users, People with prams and cyclists safe access to the waterfront area.

The Bridgewater Way will bring a number of benefits to the local and regional economies including an increase in over half a million visitors, a net income of £6 million to the local economies along it’s route, reduced crime and increased safety and the creation of a total of almost 250 new jobs.

The project is being pioneered by Peel Holdings, owners of the Manchester Ship and Bridgewater Canals, on behalf of the Bridgewater Canal Trust and supported by a number of key groups including The North West Development Agency, European Regionall Development Fund – project part financed by European Union, Mersey Basin Campaign, Arts Council and Sustrans, the national charity that promotes safer routes to schools. 

John Grimshaw, Director of Sustrans said:

“We are delighted to have been able to contribute to the ambitious scheme through our Department for Transport/Sustrans Links to Schools project. The Bridgewater Canal’s fine heritage reflects elements our own work -  linking urban areas to the countryside. We wholly applaud this project and congratulate Runcorn and Halton for their work on it.”

Mike Butterworth, Property Director of Peel Holdings added –

“It is pleasing to see that we have a new future for the leisure use of the towpath which has been underused and neglected, a hidden asset which has the potential to connect communities across the Mersey belt and around the Mersey basin, and bring economic benefits to those areas, whilst conserving and enhancing this historic asset”

To celebrate the launch, artistes from the Walk The Plank theatre company gave a short performance culminating in the Chairman of the Bridgewater Canal Trust and Director of Sustrans being driven by bicycle taxi to unveil the Bridgewater Way branding.

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