A NEW £7 million access road for Warrington’s Omega North development site has been completed – and named after a US aircraft manufacturer who produced many of the aircraft which used the Burtonwood air base.
The road has been named “Lockheed Road” after the firm which made the World War 2 fighter the Lightning, the Hudson bomber and the Hercules transport.
Historians and developers were present when the road was named to commemorate the site’s RAF, US Air Force and US Army history.
Members of the Burtonwoood Association were also present.
The 575 acre Omega site, located on both sides of the M62, was formerly the site of RAF Burtonwood, which was a military base 1940–1993.
The airfield played a key logistical role in World War II as the largest airfield in Europe with the biggest air maintenance facility and once hosted an American community of 18,000 who lived and worked there.
It is thought that when the site is fully developed, there will be a similar number of people living and working on the site as in its airbase hay day.
Omega is now the North West’s largest strategic employment site. With one logistics unit just completed for Brakes, another well underway for Hermes, and another about to start for Travis Perkins, around 1,400 jobs will be supported on the site through this trio of development – and more are in the pipeline.
Only two smaller plots remain for development on Omega North with strong interest in both plots. Lockheed Road will serve all new businesses on Omega North.
Neil Johnston, director at Miller Developments and partner in Omega Warrington Ltd said: “Our commitment to the Omega site is long-term and as such it seemed only fitting that the new future for Omega should pay homage to its heritage.
“It was an impressive site back then in terms of making a valuable contribution to the war effort and Omega Warrington Ltd is very happy that we are injecting life back into the site once more.”
Cllr Terry O’Neill, leader of Warrington Borough Council said:
“Burtonwood airfield served as a key logistics base for the British and US Military for over 50 years. It played a pivotal role during the Second World War and during the Berlin Airlift. In its new life as Omega it makes an interesting comparison to see part of the site once again returning to its logistics roots albeit during, thankfully, more peaceful times. It is fitting that we remember and commemorate the site’s historic past by naming the new road after aircraft manufacturer Lockheed.”
Roy Thorpe–Apps, UK President of RAF Burtonwood Association said:
“We are pleased to see that the very significant history of the site is not being forgotten. It was an immensely important site in the 1940s and beyond and a hive of industry. It’s great that the people of Warrington will again see jobs and activity on this site.
“At the RAF Burtonwood Association, with 800 members around the UK and overseas, we work hard to preserve this part of Warrington’s heritage.”
Pictured: Front row (left to right) – Neil Johnston, Cllr Terry O’Neill, Fiona Cummins, KUC West Property Register, Partner in Omega Warrington Ltd, and Neil Pickering, head of area, Liverpool City Region, Warrington and Cheshire for the Homes and Communities Agency.
Back row: Representatives from contractors D Morgan, WSP Group and Brakes.
