CHILDREN got the chance to redesign how they think Runcorn should look as part of an event to mark 50 years of its New Town status.


Eight primary schools took part in the challenge to reinvent Runcorn organised by Halton Borough Council’s Education Business Partnership (EBP) service with town planners.


Graeme Peace, EBP officer, said: “Reinventing Runcorn gets young people thinking about what’s important to their local area, what makes a great place to live and also gives an insight into the many careers available working in the built environment."


The project proved so popular it will be brought in to all primary schools next year.


Speaking after one of the sessions, Clr Dave Cargill, the council’s executive board member for community safety and lead member for the 50th anniversary projects, said: “The original New Town design was all about young people, with lots of green space like Town Park where kids can play and less traffic on residential roads. So it was really nice to see, 50 years on, how young people would redesign the New Town.


“Young people are really creative and their designs for Runcorn were imaginative and inspiring.”