The Mersey Basin Campaign is the 25-year, government backed partnership which brings together local authorities, businesses, voluntary organisations and government agencies to deliver water quality improvements and waterside regeneration in Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Cheshire.
Much of our work is to repair damage done to the region's rivers by industrialisation and to foster a future that is modern and prosperous with an improved environment. Our mission is to:
- Improve water quality so that all rivers, streams and waters in the Mersey and Ribble catchments are clean enough to support fish by 2010
- Encourage waterside regeneration
- Actively engage the public, private, community and voluntary sectors in the process
Porpoise, dolphins and seals are now regularly spotted in the estuary and salmon were recently discovered to be breeding in the river's headwaters for the first time in living memory.
Just yards away from major roads you can find a wealth of wildlife flourishing as the Mersey Basin clean-up gathers pace. A key to exploring much of this area is the Mersey Way, a system of paths running close to the river through Widnes, Warrington and beyond.
In many places it forms part of the country-wide Trans-Pennine Trail and you'll find access points from many of the sites highlighted on the key map.
Beyond the urban areas of the Mersey corridor between Runcorn Gap and Warrington you can find stretches of open river valley offering peace and tranquillity to the visitor. You can also enjoy the more lively waterside scene along the Sankey Canal, an increasingly popular leisure and recreation area.
The Sankey Way is ideal for walkers and cyclists and acts as a major leisure gateway while the Sankey and Bridgewater Canals offer the added interest of restored locks, wharves, viaducts and other intriguing relics of the area's industrial past.
Warrington grew up on a crossing point of the Mersey. Not only did the river provide food such as salmon and oysters but it was a leisure focus with waterside walks and a celebrated regatta. Today you can again find pleasant riverside spots where you can feed the swans, fish for the fresh water species now found in abundance or simply watch the river flow by.
Thanks to the clean-up work undertaken by Estuary partners, salmon have now returned to the river, while the local rowing club has revived the town's historic regatta in recent years. Angling competitions are also a regular feature in the Victoria Park section of the river close to Warrington town centre.
This area lies in the Mersey Forest, the largest of England's 12 community forests designed to improve the landscape and build a healthier environment for future generations.
