News

Widnes Warth Official Opening

Source: Widnes Waterfront

The Mayor and Mayoress of Halton, Councillor John and Mrs Margaret Swain, recently officially opened one hundred metres of new steel walkway providing panoramic views across the Mersey Estuary.
The construction of the walkway is one small part of a major project to improve access to the Mersey Estuary for walkers, cyclist and nature lovers.
The Widnes Warth Nature Reserve is a significant part of the overall regeneration of the north bank of the River Mersey and is a key element of the Widnes Waterfront programme.
The Nature Reserve will eventually cover over one hundred and twenty acres of mudflats, reed beds and salt marsh. Home to a rich and diverse range of animal and plant species.
The walkway will allow visitors to view areas of the salt marsh which, at high tide, are tantalisingly out of reach for bird watchers and those interested in this unique eco-system.
As part of the work, new information boards have been designed to provide visitors with a quick reference guide to the flora and fauna that occupy Widnes’ most notable natural asset: The Mersey Estuary.
The walkway, and further environmental improvements along the banks of the Mersey, have been made possible with a grant of £385,000 for The Mersey Waterfront project together with an additional £85,000 from Halton Borough Council.
To date over £200,000, of mostly external grant funding, has been spent developing access to Widnes Warth.
The Mersey Waterfront Project is tasked with revitalising the whole of the Mersey Estuary. Sara Wilde, Chair of Mersey Waterfront commented, “Widnes Warth is a key site, although not many people realise it is designated a Special Protection Area for birds and a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC).”
Councillor Rob Polhill, Executive Board Member with responsibility for Transportation and Development and Halton’s Mersey Waterfront Board Member commented, “Opening up the Warth for the enjoyment of residents and visitors alike is a key element of the Council’s drive to improve the natural environment of the Borough. The project is also a vital element of the wider Widnes Waterfront programme and goes a long way towards realising the vision of the Waterfront as a work and leisure environment of the highest quality.”

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