Issue - meetings

            The Board considered a report of the Operational Director – Economy, Enterprise and Property which provided an update on how the construction of the Mersey Gateway had contributed to the development and delivery of the Borough’s regeneration priorities.  

The report outlined that a number of strategic benefits had emerged post Mersey Gateway construction including the improvements to the Silver Jubilee Bridge, funding for the regeneration of Runcorn and the Runcorn Station Quarter. 

Positive feedback had also been received from businesses, for example, improvements in nimble and rapid movement within and beyond Halton, which subsequently improved economic activity.  There had also been reports of positive impacts on individuals and the labour market, particularly by supporting attracting highly skilled individuals to highly skilled vacancies and reinforcing workforce resilience with retaining those individuals in the post. 

            It was noted that work was ongoing to deliver the following Key Impact Areas:

·         West Runcorn Employment Growth Area;

·         Astmoor;

·         Halton Lea;

·         West Bank;

·         Widnes Waterfront;

·         3MG Ditton Corridor;

·         Runcorn Old Town; and

·         Southern Widnes.

The report demonstrated that the Council’s main policy objective was to ensure that the Mersey Gateway project was more than the construction of a bridge.  Whilst there had been undoubted productivity gains and improved journey times that had resulted from the new bridge, it had served as the catalyst for wider regeneration and investment in the Borough. 

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.