New Town is slammed

It said Runcorn has 'concentrations of deprivation...high levels of unemployment and low housing demand.'

The report, by the Transport Local Government and the Regions Committee, was carried out into 22 new towns around the country.

Runcorn was singled out for criticism including:

l Southgate (now Hallwood Park) and Castlefields having to be redeveloped because 'their physical condition led to low demand in the area and a need for major repairs.'

l All wards in Runcorn New Town falling within the top ten per cent most deprived in England

l Areas of vegetation that led to residents being concerned about their personal safety and security at bus stops and footpaths and parts of the expressway

l Runcorn's population of 62,700 has fallen short of its target population of 100,000

l The community centres, sports fields and busways transferred to the council had become 'drains on money.'

The report recommended massive investment and the transfer of power and land to local councils.

Council Leader, Cllr Tony McDermott, said: "The recommendations are very good for local government. The land holdings of English Partnerships could be handed over to us."

In towns like Runcorn, English Partnership owns approximately 25 times more land than the council.

"Castlefields is one of very few major sites in the country that will get extra funding, it is the biggest single priority in the north west," said Cllr McDermott.

"We are happy with the report's recommendations and we await the further details. It can only be good news for Runcorn."

Castlefields Cllr Pat Tyrrell said: "This report totally endorses the council's position. Halton is ahead of the game.

"Planners had no idea of the property people wanted to live when they were designed. The time is right to get rid of what has become a sort of 'planning blight'.

"The council recognised these problems years ago - it's surprising it has taken parliament so long to catch up."

All of the country's new towns were criticised for poor bus services, unattractive shopping centres and housing past its useful life.

The report said since 1980 there had been a significant reduction in Government investment.

The public private partnerships that replaced this investment have been hampered by disjointed land ownership and the fragmented planning system.

The Government set up 22 New Town Development Corporations between 1946 and 1970. They were all closed down by 1992 and their remaining assets and planning powers were transferred to the Commission For New Towns.

CNT merged with English Partnerships in 1999 and that now owns about 5,700 hectars of land in new towns, valued at more than £1b.