The waterways

EXCITING waterfront developments are set to transform Halton's skyline. Blue chip companies, plush apartments, sports, retail and leisure facilities could create a vibrant riverside economy. With a decision expected soon on the £335m second Mersey crossing, linking our two coastlines, Runcorn and Widnes are on the cusp of a sea change. 'Halton Quays' could create the biggest ever revival on Merseyside!

RUNCORN

PLUSH waterside apartments are set to launch Runcorn's very own riviera in an exciting £40m development.

Homes with spectacular panoramic views, quayside restaurants and bars are being created by one of the UK's largest property developers.

"This is a very exciting and ambitious scheme that will change the face of Runcorn," said Ed Burrows, development manager of Peel Holdings, owners of Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

"The development responds to the remarkable views across the Manchester Ship Canal and Mersey estuary and will provide an additional waterfront focus to the existing town centre."

Talks are now under way with residential developers, The World can exclusively reveal, to build the 500 homes, in phases.

Council leader Cllr Tony McDermott said: "I have always said the waterfront is the future of Widnes and Runcorn.

"We've got a long way to go but this is something most places haven't got.

"There has been tremendous development in Halton over the past decade. Developers know there is stability here and it's beginning to pay dividends."

The Old Quay site includes a former maintenance shipyard stretching 500 metres east of the Runcorn Widnes bridge, in front of Churchill Mansions to Old Quay Street. "This is a unique opportunity for Runcorn and one of the best residential waterfront redevelopment sites in the North West," said Mr Burrows. "Peel Holdings transformed Salford

Quays derelict docklands into a thriving waterside community and we are working to apply the same principles in Runcorn."

SWISH waterside restaurants, bars, shops, apartments and leisure facilities could soon flourish in Runcorn's very own Canal Quarter.

Britain's top architects are being challenged to design imaginative, iconic buildings to blend in with the £7m Brindley arts centre in a trailblazing competition.

A new swimming pool and library must be incorporated into their vision.

The country's leading developers have already expressed huge interest, The World can exclusively reveal.

Excitement is mounting as the closing date of March 7 approaches.

It is the first time Halton Council has ever given developers a blank canvas to breathe new life into seven hectares of land and revitalise the town centre.

"Great interest has already been shown," said council leader, Cllr Tony McDermott. "It's exciting times."

Cllr Rob Polhill, board member for planning, said: "We're doing it as a competition to see what the best of the best can offer rather than impose our ideas.

"Nothing is ruled out. We want something really upmarket and classy. The waterway is one of Halton's strengths."

A shortlist will be drawn up and finalists will be interviewed and invited to give their presentations on March 10.

The winner will be announced on April 7.

WIDNES

GIANT modern metal structures - each supporting a tree - have been specially designed to mark the gateway of an £80m riverside development.

A commercial, office, retail, tourism and leisure park, creating 3,000 new jobs is set to turn Victorian industrial wasteland into Widnes Waterfront Vision.

"It's very exciting," said Cllr Rob Polhill, board member for development. "It will be a transformation and open up a part of Widnes hidden for 100 years.

"I'm very confident with the level of interest, it will be of a very high quality."

A marina, boardwalk, railway station and bulky goods retail unit are in the pipeline. The UK's top blue chip companies told consultants they're keen to move to this riverside park, set to become a strategic North West economic development zone.

Consulted local businesses have welcomed the initiative. Europe has pledged £8m, with £70m in private and public sector investment expected, over the next 10 years. Halton Council has committed £1.2m. Prestigious developers are already showing a big interest, the World can exclusively reveal.

The 80-hectare site - the size of 100 rugby pitches - stretches along the north bank of the River Mersey to the east of the bridge. It includes Venture Fields, land behind Focus DIY store, off Ashley Way.

The first office development, at the junction of Tanhouse Lane, has already been approved.

Derek Sutton, Halton Council's operational director for major projects, said: "We are talking to developers who are very interested."

Millions in grant aid have already been spent, he said, behind the scenes, investigating the site and carrying out a services audit. Earle Road has been upgraded to improve access for motorists, pedestrians, cyclists and public transport. Designers are creating a tree-lined boulevard to open up this riverside location, which has excellent motorway links.

"We have bought some sites to get more control over more land," said Mr Sutton. "The modern aluminium frames on the Eastern Bypass will have a big tree planted in each.

"They will act as a showcase with signs lit up, hopefully by Easter."

D-DAY on the £335m second crossing set to create 7,000 jobs, £90m of investment and boost property prices, could be just weeks away.

An announcement on the newly named Mersey Gateway is expected to be made by Transport Minister Alistair Darling before Easter.

"We have looked at everything the Government has asked of us," said council leader, Cllr Tony McDermott. "We are satisfied we have found all the answers."

The bulky final bid was delivered to Whitehall in December.

The traffic clogged 40-year-old bridge now carries 91,000 vehicles a day. It was only designed for 60,000. Transport Minister Tony McNulty was given a bird's eye view of the proposed new crossing, from the observation gallery of Catalyst, in November.

In an exclusive interview, he said he was very impressed by Halton Council's bid, but he wouldn't divulge if the Government would fund the project.

Mr McNulty, said: "Halton has made a very good case and your MP Derek Twigg has done his part."

If the bridge gets the green light, the crossing could open in 2009.