Northwest agrees on “Atlantic Gateway” plan
Local authorities across the Northwest have today signed up to a 20-year regeneration framework called the Atlantic Gateway economic zone.
The framework, which was agreed by council leaders from Merseyside, Cheshire and Greater Manchester at Daresbury Science and Innovation Centre today, aims to encourage collaborative working between councils to stimulate investment in the region.
It is hoped this will establish an area of economic growth to compete with London, with a view to creating 250,000 new jobs and 400,000 new homes by 2030.
Council representatives called on the government to support the framework by creating new bodies in Whitehall dedicated to delivering better infrastructure in the region.
Councillor John Merry, leader of Salford City Council, said: “This framework of collaborative working between the city regions offers us a unique opportunity and reflects the changing role of the public sector. The Atlantic Gateway framework has the potential for finding more innovative solutions by working outside the traditional administrative boundaries of the individual local authorities.”
It is understood that Manchester council leader Sir Howard Bernstein is opposed to the project.
Councillor Flo Clucas, deputy leader of Liverpool City Council, said: “The Atlantic Gateway shows the way forward for the Liverpool and Manchester City regions. Rather than being seen as rivals this framework brings together these city regions with the potential for unrivalled and sustainable economic growth. Together we can become not only one of Europe’s leading economic regions but a global force.”
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