Peel unveil 20-year vision for our industrial waterways, and want input from Wirral

Jun 8 2011 by Matt Hurst, Heswall News

WIRRAL residents will have the opportunity to make known their views on Peel Ports’ 20-year Mersey Ports Master Plan.

The Manchester-based landowner, also behind the ambitious Wirral Waters scheme, has unveiled plans to transform the north west’s historic industrial waterways and introduce new ‘multi-modal inland ports’ to handle an estimated 70% growth in tonnage.

Two of these ‘inland ports’ will fall within Wirral and have been provisonally called Port Wirral, near Eastham and to its south, Port Bridgewater.

They would be joined to Port Ince, near Ellesmere Port, Port Warrington and Port Salford by the existing Manchester Ship Canal.

The proposals have been set out in a draft Mersey Ports Master Plan, which outlines the major landowner’s 20-year vision.

The master plan was revealed at a special event yesterday that marks the opening of a 13-week period of consultation, closing on Monday, September 25.

Peel Ports Mersey managing director, Gary Hodgson, said: “The purpose of the master plan is to clarify our own strategic planning for the medium to long term – and inform all of our stakeholders; from regional and local planning bodies and transport network providers to port users, employees and, very importantly, people living in local communities, as to how they can expect to see the Port and Ship Canal develop over the coming years.

“This will be an extensive consultation, and we are asking people to get involved and tell us what they think.

“All written views will be carefully considered and will help to shape the final version of the master plan.”

Contributions to the consultation are welcomed from all sections of the community, whether groups of interested parties, or individuals.

And to encourage involvement, a series of public meetings have been set up, where Peel Ports Mersey staff will be on hand to answer questions and provide information.

The first in Wirral takes place at Wallasey Town Hall on Tuesday, July 5, with a second at Eastham Lodge Golf Club, Ferry Road on Tuesday July 12.

Both run from 3.30pm to 7.30pm.

Contact can also be made by letter, email or the completion of a internet-based questionnaire.

Send your views to Mersey Ports Master Plan Consultation, Maritime Centre, Port of Liverpool, L21 1LA or email merseymasterplan@peelports.co.uk or visit www.merseydocks.co.uk/masterplan