Halton to work on revamp of Runcorn

BOROUGH chiefs have picked Halton Council to coordinate the creation of a Runcorn town centre regeneration masterplan.

Executive board members voted to fulfil the role in-house rather delegate it to an external contractor.

They had been mulling an offer from construction firm Langtree, with which it has teamed up on for projects including Sci-Tech Daresbury.

However, council officers had recommended the local authority should do the work to save cash and because it had the relevant expertise, and could provide accountability.

Executive board agenda minutes said a 10-15 year ‘Runcorn Vision’ regeneration document had been approved in September, focusing on the so-called proposed Runcorn Station Quarter to maximise the value of works in the shorted time.

The Weekly News previously reported that the council was planning to maintain good relations with Langtree to keep the door open for consulting it in future.

Residents and councillors have long scratched their heads over how to kickstart the regeneration of Runcorn Old Town with the promise posed by the redevelopment of the former Crosville contaminated bus depot, including a family pub and drive-through coffee shop with town centre parking, now stymied by the closure of the Silver Jubilee Bridge and the reduction in passing custom.

Plans have been approved for homes to built on a former playing field on Picow Farm Road and the council has tabled an idea to build canal side homes on The Brindley car park. A campaign is also under way to open the Bridgewater Canal at Top Locks to encourage tourism.

As part of the broader regeneration of Runcorn, councillors have also backed a project to build a supermarket and shopping row with a family pub across town near Murdishaw roundabout, which could see a rise in passing custom with the opening of the Mersey Gateway and the upcoming construction of M56 junction 11a.