Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram urges Chancellor Rachel Reeves to back plans for a 10,000-home New Town linking Liverpool and Bootle and is backed by local business leaders. Tony McDonough reports

Ahead of the Comprehensive Spending Review on Wednesday, Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram is urging Chancellor Rachel Reeves to back plans for a Mersey New Town.

Liverpool City Council has worked in collaboration with Sefton Council, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Homes England, and key landowners on the proposal to regenerate what is one of the most deprived areas of the UK.

A submission for New Town status has been sent to the Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government to expand the regeneration of the northern fringe of the city through to Bootle town centre, transforming 5km of brownfield land.

In a direct call to the Chancellor, Mr Rotheram said: “Liverpool North is one of the biggest regeneration opportunities in the country right now – bigger even than Old Trafford – and its potential to transform lives is enormous.

“We’re talking about 10,000 new homes, thousands of jobs, and a chance to turn round the fortunes of communities that have been held back for far too long.

“From Bootle to Kirkdale, Everton to Anfield, this is a proud part of our city region, rich in history, resilience and potential. We’ve brought local leaders, football clubs, colleges and housing providers together around a single shared vision – and we’re all raring to go.

“We have a real chance to work hand in hand with our government to deliver the kind of joined-up, long-term investment that changes lives. New Town status would be a real catalyst to kickstart that transformation.”

As part of the regeneration, there are also plans to invest in major improvements to public transport and active travel infrastructure.

Enhancing bus, rail, and cycling connections will help better link communities across North Liverpool and South Sefton with jobs, education and leisure opportunities.

A number of business leaders have thrown their weight behind the plans and the Metro Mayor’s call to the Government.

Greg Johnson, managing director of Bootle windows and door manufacturer Warwick North West, said: “Everton FC and Sefton Council have got the ball rolling on the regeneration of the corridor between north Liverpool and Bootle with the new stadium and Bootle Strand developments.

“We are in the middle of that corridor, employing more than 120 local people in high value manufacturing jobs. Right here on the ground the public and private sectors are working together to transform the area.

“This shows we are not just looking for Government handouts. We are working and investing to future-proof the local economy. Now it is time for Whitehall to match that ambition and give the green light to the gaming-changing New Town plans.”

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Dean Rogers, managing director of Liverpool building firm Frank Rogers, added: “When they were elected last year the Government put housebuilding front and centre of lots agenda, pledging to see 1.5m new homes built.

“Here is a chance for them to start making good on that promise by backing the New Town proposal. This will create thousands of much-needed quality homes and provide a powerful stimulus for the local construction sector.”

And Amanda Unsworth, founder of Liverpool freight forwarding firm Trinity Logistics, said the impact on the whole supply chain of the New Town could be significant.

She explained: “A significant volume of construction materials come in via the Port of Liverpool. Any increase in construction activity would be a shot in the arm across multiple sectors and Steve Rotherham is right to push for this.

“This will demand significant movement of construction materials, specialist equipment, and supporting services. As a key player in the region’s logistics sector, we stand ready to support this vision by ensuring that goods move efficiently, sustainably, and reliably throughout the regeneration process.”

Other key partners include Liverpool FC, Everton FC, The City of Liverpool College, Hugh Baird College, Everton in the Community, Torus Liverpool, Riverside, One Vision Housing and Plus Dane Housing.

Councillor Liam Robinson, leader of Liverpool City Council, also said: “New Town status for Anfield, Bootle, Everton and Kirkdale will prove to be a real game changer and help to radically reverse decades of decline in this area.”

And Cllr Marion Atkinson, leader of Sefton Council said: “This project will supercharge plans to transform Bootle and South Sefton, bringing huge improvements to the housing stock and improving links to the city centre and beyond.”