60 - Mersey Valley : Summary and Headline Statements of Environmental Opportunity

Summary

The Mersey Valley National Character Area (NCA) consists of a wide, low-lying river valley landscape focusing on the River Mersey, its estuary, associated tributaries and waterways. It is a varied landscape that extends from the mosslands near the Manchester Conurbation NCA in the east, to the Merseyside Conurbation NCA and the wide estuary with intertidal mudflats/sand flats and salt marsh in the west. The River Mersey is tidal from Howley Weir in Warrington. The area encompasses a complex mix of extensive industrial development and urban areas, with high-quality farmland in between.

Farmland in the north of the Mersey Valley NCA is predominantly arable, while in the south there is a mix of arable and pasture. Field pattern is regular and large scale, often defined by degraded hedgerows with isolated hedgerow trees. In the east, open, flat farmland is found on the rich, dark peaty soils of the former mosses, with a complex network of drainage ditches.

Urban and industrial developments line the banks of the River Mersey. Industrial infrastructure is often prominent, with large-scale, highly visible development including chemical works and oil refineries. The Manchester Ship Canal links the estuary to the heart of Manchester, perpetuating the industrial development of the area. There is a dense communication network of major roads, railways, canals and transmission lines. The urban and suburban areas provide housing for those working in neighbouring conurbations, as well as in the industries of the Mersey Valley.

The Mersey Estuary’s extensive intertidal mudflats/sand flats and fringing salt marshes sustain internationally significant bird populations. There are remnant pockets of lowland raised bog, including the Manchester Mosses Special Area of Conservation, centring on a once extensive area of mossland. Rixton Clay Pits are a mosaic of pools and other habitats, with an internationally designated population of great crested newts.

The habitats around the rivers and the estuary provide a natural defence against flooding. Positive management of the area’s organic soils and wetlands such as lowland raised bogs could result in significant gains in carbon sequestration. Local Nature Reserves and country parks offer opportunities for people to enjoy the natural environment.

Key challenges include integrating the development pressures associated with the towns, industry and transport, with the protection and enhancement of the landscape and the internationally significant habitats. Understanding, planning for and adapting to climate change, particularly in the dynamic estuary and river environment, is a further challenge. There are opportunities for providing accessible greenspace and recreational provision, as well as improving habitat quality and distribution. Other benefits could include providing better water quality and storage, minimising soil erosion and increasing carbon storage. All these can strengthen landscape resilience and adaptation to climate change.

Headline Statements of Environmental Opportunity (SEO)

See the Statements of Environmental Opportunity section for more details on the headlines listed below.

SEO 1

Conserve and enhance the Mersey Valley’s rivers, tributaries and estuary, improving the ability of the fluvial and estuarine systems to adapt to climate change and mitigate flood risk while also enhancing habitats for wildlife and for people’s enjoyment of the landscape.

SEO 2

Promote the Mersey Valley’s historic environment and landscape character and positively integrate the environmental resource with industry and development, providing greenspace within existing and new development, to further the benefits provided by a healthy natural environment, as a framework for habitat restoration and for public amenity.

SEO 3

Manage the arable and mixed farmland along the broad linear Mersey Valley, and create semi-natural habitats, woodlands and ecological networks, to protect soils and water, enhance biodiversity, increase connectivity and improve the character of the landscape, while enabling sustainable food production.

SEO 4

Manage and enhance the mossland landscape in the east, safeguarding wetlands including the internationally important lowland raised bogs, to conserve peat soils, protect and enhance biodiversity, conserve archaeological deposits, contribute to landscape character and store carbon.