A NEW £50 billion blueprint for a ‘superport’ scheme could provide a major boost for the local economy in Chester and the surrounding areas, according to council chiefs.
Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC) Cllr Mike Jones said that the Atlantic Gateway strategy could transform the county, along with neighbouring Liverpool and Manchester, into an economic zone of international significance, if it is successful.
Cllr Jones has agreed to join forces with leaders from the two major North West cities and Warrington to get behind the strategy which would see the area transformed into a superport.
The Atlantic Gateway strategy has been recognised as a vision for “a sustainable economic zone” including Merseyside through to north Cheshire, Chester, Halton and Warrington into Greater Manchester, which will establish an area of economic growth second only to London within the UK.
The exciting project could deliver 250,000 new jobs and 400,000 new homes by 2030.
Cllr Jones said that despite the scheme locally focusing on projects around the Manchester Ship Canal, Ellesmere Quays and the waterfront area of Ellesmere Port and the Wirral, Chester and the surrounding areas would also receive a major boost.
He said: “With the potential to provide more than 250,000 jobs in Liverpool, Manchester and Chester there comes a major boost to the prosperity of the area and that is why CWaC are fully engaged in this project. The overall impact will be massive on Cheshire West and Chester and the three sub regions as a whole, including jobs, transport, housing, all sports and recreation, leisure,” he added. “It would washing over the entire region a completely positive impact.”
The vision could include the berth of ships, too big to use the Panama Canal, being built at Mersey Docks and along the 44-mile Manchester Ship Canal, at Ellesmere Port as well as Wirral, Warrington and Salford.
Peel Holdings’ Atlantic Gateway vision for the River Mersey and Manchester Ship Canal was first launched as a concept in 2008.
This week, representatives from all the areas, including Cllr Jones agreed to work with the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) to turn the strategy into reality.
The scheme crosses several local authority boundaries and includes 12 large projects including major schemes at Ellesmere Quays, Port Wirral and Wirral Waters.
Cllr Jones said: “Leaders and councils support the strategy and the investment in the area.
“We hope that the strategy will give the region vibrancy and prosperity like that of the south east of England and it would be fantastic to regenerate parts of the area.
“This is clearly a major boost for the area.”
NWDA chief executive Steven Broomhead called the strategy a “bold and innovative collaboration across and between city regions” which he hoped could create a growth area which will rank among Europe’s strongest urban economies.
He added: “Our desire is simply to improve the environment for all businesses to invest in order to create stronger city regions and North West as a whole.”