NorthWest cities agree to Atlantic Gateway regeneration plan
Published: 16 March, 2010
A concept first put forward by The Peel Group, owners of The Trafford Centre, for the regeneration of the North West ship canal corridor has today been taken forward.
Local authorities in the North West are signing up to the Atlantic Gateway regeneration scheme, described as “a vision for a sustainable economic zone” linking Liverpool and Greater Manchester along the Manchester ship canal corridor.
Leaders of local authorities in Merseyside, Cheshire and Greater Manchester today met to sign an agreement at an event hosted by the Northwest Regional Development Agency. According to the NWDA, the plans could deliver 250,000 new jobs and 400,000 new homes by 2030, and would establish an area of economic growth second only to London in the UK.
The Peel Group, which originally devised the idea under the Ocean Gateway scheme, is a main player in the wider Atlantic Gateway concept, which includes land and property in both public and private ownership. Key actions set out in the agreement included supporting projects within the area that contribute to the growth of city regions, and collaborating with partners in the scheme when necessary.
Cllr Flo Clucas, deputy leader of Liverpool City Council, said: "The Atlantic Gateway shows the way forward for the Liverpool and Manchester City regions. Rather than being seen as rivals this framework brings together these city regions with the potential for unrivalled and sustainable economic growth. Together we can become not only one of Europe's leading economic regions but a global force."
