The future

EXCITING plans to invest £100m to transform a dilapidated Runcorn new town estate are taking shape. Thirty-year-old Castlefields is being completely revamped in an ambitious masterplan over the next 10 years.

"New traditional style houses have already been built," said Derek Sutton, Halton Council's operational director for major projects. " They have been exceptionally well received by people who have moved out of the old blocks.

Demolishing old properties in stages, he said, ensures the proposed new developments will be delivered.

Around 600 concrete deck dwellings are set to be bulldozed over the next four years and replaced with modern homes.

Many residents who have lived on the estate for decades want to remain near their friends and neighbours.

New architecture is already opening up the Bridgewater Canal and giving the area a new lease of life.

A village square is to be created for shops after residents said they would prefer to have amenities in the centre of the estate rather than along the canalside.

A new road will link the Busway and Castlefields Avenue East to the square, with additional footpaths and cycleways.

A youth activity park is earmarked for the former Norton Priory School site. A play area for the under fives and under 12s, a skate park, boulder park and upgraded multi use games area are set to open later this year.

Halton Council has teamed up with housing associations to work on the vision.

ON TRACK FOR FREIGHT VILLAGE AND 4,000 JOBS

IT'S all change at Ditton where a freight village is set to create up to 4,000 new jobs.

This giant rail park has been earmarked by the Government to become a site of regional significance.

The ambitious masterplan has been given the green light with £28m investment over the next 15 years.

"This is great news for Halton," said Cllr Rob Polhill, board member for development, planning and transportation.

"It will create jobs and trigger a major programme of land reclamation. The site is next to the west coast line, which supports the Government's aim to get freight off the road and onto the railways.

"We have already had interest from developers which gives us great optimism."

Two major railfreight operators have already successfully developed disused land close to the railway line at Ditton and Hale Bank.

Widnes entrepreneur Jim Quinn of AHC Warehousing Ltd has turned dilapidated land into a flourishing international warehousing and distribution business - complete with its own international freight terminal.

Trains from all over Europe deliver items ranging from soup, baked beans and bottled water to car parts, washing machines and sportswear.

Haulage businessman Steve O'Connor of The O'Connor Group has invested in giant new cranes and teamed up with Maersk, the biggest logistics company in the world, to develop an intermodal depot.

His vehicles emblazoned with the Mersey Gateway logo, supporting the second Mersey crossing, transport goods throughout the continent.

Derek Sutton, Halton Council's operational director for major projects, said a lot of preparation work is already going on behind the scenes.

Track improvements and talks with Network Rail, joint owners of Ditton bridge, are taking place.