Exciting plans for Liverpool's docks

Liverpool's historic South Docks - including the famous Albert Dock - are set for a revival, according to their new owner British Waterways.

The 11 docks were yesterday handed over to BW by their previous owner, regeneration agency English Partnerships. British Waterways already runs London's Docklands and Gloucester Docks, as well as canals and rivers throughout Britain.

It will be working with Liverpool City Council to stage events and improve facilities in the docks. The plans include improved moorings, leisure trips, a programme of high profile maritime events, enhanced water sports and better heritage interpretation. At the same time, the new owners are keen to protect wildlife in the docks - where the water quality has been rewarded with a prestigious Blue Flag award.

British Waterways is already involved with a heat of the national jet ski championships in Queens Dock and other competitions around the country, and has ambitious plans to bring a host of major events to the waterfront. Innovative concepts could see a waterborne boat show featuring maritime and canal craft, yacht regattas and prestigious races such as triathlons and marathons. BW will also be looking closely at any potential opportunities in the Wirral Docks.

The waterway authority is planning a new canal link from the Leeds & Liverpool Canal to the South Docks, a multi-million pound project that could see narrowboats and inland cruisers join their sea-going brethren in the docks.

The transfer involves a total of 75 acres of dock waterspace and includes Canning Half-tide, Canning, Albert, Salthouse, Dukes, Wapping Basin, Wapping Quay, Queens, Queens Branch, Coburg Dock Marina and Brunswick Dock in Liverpool, and Morpeth and Egerton Docks in Birkenhead. Some two miles of riverside walkway, a river wall, dock wall, water sports centre, a 350-berth yacht marina and several bridges and pontoons now also come under the ownership of British Waterways through the deal. English Partnerships is relinquishing control as part of a move to focus on its regeneration work.

Alun Michael, the Waterways Minister, said: "I am delighted that British Waterways is taking up this opportunity to build on the foundations laid by English Partnerships. I am sure that this waterspace will play a significant role in the events celebrating Liverpool as European Capital of Culture in 2008."

British Waterways chairman, George Greener, concurred. "As Liverpool celebrates its 800th birthday in 2007 and takes on the mantle of European Capital of Culture in 2008, the eyes of the world will be on Merseyside. We are determined that these world famous docks will make a living, breathing, vital contribution to the life of the city."