§ Mr. Frank FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the work of regional development agencies in developing tourism in Birkenhead. [166507]
§ Mr. CabornThe North West Development Agency (NWDA) is working closely with The Mersey Partnership (TMP), the nominated Destination Management Organisation (DMO) for Merseyside.
During 2003–04 TMP received £320,000 from the Agency's Marketing Image Bud get for tourism and investment campaigns to promote Merseyside. £419,000 was also provided from the NWI)A's Tourism budget for a variety of projects which will benefit Birkenhead.
The Mersey Waterfront Regional Park, which covers an area from Southport to Wirral, including Birkenhead.£65,000 for new restrooms for the Birkenhead Historic Warships which include disabled access and enhanced visitor facilities. This will enable promotion to a wider audience including older and disabled visitors especially as D Day celebrations are planned for June 2004.£90,000 towards the Landmark Monument feasibility study—the possibility of creating a signature type structure in the Mersey, which may be accessible to the public, a similar concept to the Statue of Liberty.£400,000 for Hoylake/West Kirby Resort Improvements.Birkenhead will also benefit in the longer term from the Festival of Light Study, which aims to provide world class permanent lighting across the Waterfront area to culminate in the year 2008 Capital of Culture. The Hotel Study will provide a review of expected demand and a forward plan for the development of hotels on the Waterfront and outer areas of Merseyside. The Woodside master plan is a blue print for future development at this key site. The restoration of the Wirral Way from West Kirby to Thurstaston will incorporate new cycle ways totalling £358,000.
The NWDA is also investigating the possibility of the Golf Open being held at the Royal Liverpool at Hoylake in the next few years.