LABOUR politicians in Warrington have welcomed the appointment of Andy Burnham as Prime Minister and urged him to make a major Warrington redevelopment project the ‘engine room’ of a resurgent North.
Andy Burnham, MP for Makerfield and former Mayor of Greater Manchester, became Prime Minister today (Monday 20th July) after being confirmed as Labour leader unopposed and winning the support of a landslide majority of Labour MPs.
As Mayor, Burnham built a reputation for delivering for the North, repeatedly pressing the government for Northern Powerhouse Rail as a way of closing the economic gap between the North and the rest of the country.
Now PM, he has pledged to establish a “Number 10 North” in Manchester as part of a wider shift of power and investment away from Whitehall and into England’s regions.
He has also promised to deliver “good growth in every postcode” and has spoken of the need for “committing to decent infrastructure in all parts of the UK.”
Warrington Labour politicians have welcomed this commitment and believe the proposed Bank Quay development, unveiled in May this year, is a natural fit for that vision.
Warrington Bank Quay is set to become a major hub on the proposed Northern Powerhouse Rail line between Manchester and Liverpool.
The £45 billion rail line is expected to act as a major catalyst for the 300-acre Bank Quay Gateway regeneration scheme, which could see a vast area of underused brownfield land transformed into a vibrant new district.
The plans could deliver up to 4,500 new homes and 2 million square feet of commercial space – but the full realisation of the Bank Quay scheme relies on the delivery of the government’s Northern Powerhouse Rail link.
Hans Mundry, Leader of Warrington Borough Council, who is part of the Liverpool to Manchester Rail Board, said: “We’re excited to work with Andy Burnham to deliver economic growth across our town, starting with the Bank Quay plans, which place Warrington right at the centre of the Northern Powerhouse Rail project. Done right, this could make Warrington the engine room of a resurgent North of England.”
Dan Price, Labour Mayoral Candidate for Cheshire and Warrington, said: “As Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy showed he understands what communities across the North of England need to thrive. As Prime Minister, he should turbocharge those same instincts here in Warrington and drive economic growth to benefit the town and the whole region.”
With the Cheshire and Warrington Mayoral Combined Authority now established ahead of the first mayoral election in May 2027, Warrington Labour says the new Prime Minister has an early opportunity to back ambitious, transport-led regeneration outside London and the South East, and looks forward to working with him to make it happen.
