Following news that BURA (British Urban Regeneration Association) and The Waterways Trust have unveiled the Mersey Waterfront Regional Park as a finalist in The Waterways Renaissance Awards 2008, Chair of Mersey Waterfront, Sara Wilde said:
“These prestigious awards celebrate the best of the best in urban regeneration, so to be short listed to the final three nationally is testament to the important work the Mersey Waterfront team is doing to enhance our stunning coastline.
“Our Strategic Framework is a vision for the Regional Park Zone over the next 15-20 years. We’ve spearheaded some great waterside improvements since the programme began in 2003, and we’re committed to developing a long-term plan which will further enhance our 145km coastline as a world-class visitor destination and a desirable place to live, work and visit for many years into the future.”
The Strategic Framework:
Mersey Waterfront’s Strategic Framework has been short listed in the Strategy and Masterplanning category. The vision sets out Mersey Waterfront’s role in facilitating and delivering regeneration, leisure and recreation, and environmental activities in:
1) Mersey Waterfront Regional Park Zone – Defining and promoting the geographical zone of Mersey Waterfront, which extends from Southport Marine Lake in the north, to Parkgate in the Wirral in the south. The eastern edge is bordered by the Trans Pennine Trail where it crosses the River Mersey in Warrington.
2) ‘Windows’ on the Waterfront – 14 key locations – or ‘windows’ - have been identified has focal points for future development and investments. These are: Southport, Ainsdale, Formby Point, Crosby Coastal Park, International Waterfront (Liverpool and Birkenhead), Liverpool Riverlands, Speke Riverside, Mersey Gateway (Halton), Eastham Country Park & Mouth of Ship Canal, Woodside/Hamilton Square, New Brighton.
There are also 10 external ‘windows’ which provide panoramic views of Mersey Waterfront (eg, Bidston Moss, Everton Heights, Thurstaston Hill).
3) Linking the Waterfront – Improving access and public transport links within the Regional Park Zone and linking the waterfront ‘windows’ with each other and surrounding parts of the Northwest. Another long-term proposal is to create a ‘Mersey Way’ - a continuous multi-user trial, making the entire 145km coastline fully accessible to the public by 2020.
