Whaley Bridge Regeneration Partnership WHALEY BRIDGE MARKET TOWN CONSULTANCY – PREPARATION OF A REGENERATION STRATEGY & ACTION PLAN Final Report September 2003 Planners and Development Economists 17 St Ann’s Square Manchester WC2A 2EY Tel 0161-834 0833 Fax 0161-834 0833 e-mail [email protected] With Faber Maunsell and Phillip Mervyn Associates CONTENTS 1 INSTRUCTIONS & OUTLINE OF REPORT ..............................................................................1 Instructions.......................................................................................................................................................................1 Structure of Remainder of Report..............................................................................................................................1 2 TOWN CENTRE HEALTH CHECK ..........................................................................................3 The Need for Health Checks........................................................................................................................................3 Boundary of the Area to Which the Health Check Applies..................................................................................3 Whaley Bridge Healthcheck - Detailed Methodology............................................................................................4 Town Centre Healthcheck - Conclusions.............................................................................................................. 12 Horwich End.................................................................................................................................................................. 12 3 QUALITATIVE APPRAISAL OF KEY ISSUES FOR WHALEY BRIDGE ................................... 13 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................... 13 SWOT Analysis............................................................................................................................................................. 13 4 TRANSPORTATION AUDIT AND ASSESSMENT................................................................... 16 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................... 16 Key Issues...................................................................................................................................................................... 16 Operation of the Existing Highway Network and Potential Improvements.................................................. 17 Canal Towpath Issues................................................................................................................................................. 20 Off-Street Car Parking................................................................................................................................................. 20 Utilisation of Existing Roads.................................................................................................................................... 21 Strategic Linkages and Connections..................................................................................................................... 21 Transport Needs Survey............................................................................................................................................ 21 Summary........................................................................................................................................................................ 22 5 TOURISM ISSUES................................................................................................................ 23 Introduction ...............................................................................................................................................................2323 Canal/Canal Basin........................................................................................................................................................ 23 Canal & Associated Land/Property.....................................................................................................................2423 Bugsworth Basin.......................................................................................................................................................... 23 Outdoor Activities........................................................................................................................................................ 25 Annual Events............................................................................................................................................................... 25 Nearby Attractions....................................................................................................................................................... 25 Trails................................................................................................................................................................................ 26 Signage........................................................................................................................................................................... 26 Visitor Accommodation.............................................................................................................................................. 26 Tourist Information...................................................................................................................................................... 26 Visitor Numbers............................................................................................................................................................ 26 6 ECONOMIC PROFILE & EMPLOYMENT ISSUES (WHALEY BRIDGE)................................... 28 Conclusion..................................................................................................................................................................... 33 7 ECONOMIC PROFILE AND EMPLOYMENT ISSUES (BINGSWOOD ESTATE) ......................364 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................364 Internet Search...........................................................................................................................................................364 Response to Our Survey..........................................................................................................................................364 Conclusion..................................................................................................................................................................... 39 8 YOUTH NEEDS .................................................................................................................... 40 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................... 40 Young People in Whaley Bridge – General Profile ............................................................................................. 40 Leisure / Recreation Facilities.................................................................................................................................. 41 Training and Careers Advice.................................................................................................................................... 41 Employment Issues..................................................................................................................................................... 42 Views of Young People............................................................................................................................................... 43 Summary......................................................................................................................................................................464 Recommendations.....................................................................................................................................................464 9 REGENERATION STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN ............................................................... 45 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................... 45 The Importance of the New Bridge Access to the Regeneration Strategy.................................................. 45 The Four ‘Core Actions’............................................................................................................................................. 46 The Regeneration Strategy........................................................................................................................................ 47 10 FUNDING ISSUES................................................................................................................ 54 Overview of Potential Funding Sources for Town Centre Improvements..................................................564 Public Sector ‘Gap Funding’ – Overview of Required Outputs......................................................................