No need for orders, say bridge partners

Feb 28 2008 by Adrian Short, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

ASSURANCES that compulsory purchase orders will not be served on residential homes in Widnes and Runcorn have been issued by the partners behind the Mersey Gateway project.

Halton Borough Council has been contacting the owners and occupiers of business premises along the proposed development’s route, as the first stage in the process of acquiring the land needed for its construction.

A spokesman for the project stressed that no homes are affected and that the serving of compulsory purchase orders would only be a “last resort”.

Scores of businesses were sent letters last week asking them to confirm ownership of the land.

A spokesperson for the Mersey Gateway project said: “We have already held positive discussions with a number of landowners and tenants as part of an ongoing process of engagement and we are keen for more businesses to get involved in talks.

“Last week 175 letters were sent to people who have interests in the businesses along the proposed route asking them to confirm land ownership details.

“We need to clarify ownership of every site along the route as the first step in the process of acquiring land to develop the access roads to the new bridge.”

He added: “No residential properties have been contacted as the proposed route for the new crossing does not take any land from occupied residential houses in either Runcorn or Widnes.”