The town of Northwich, Cheshire sits on disused salt mines. At a depth of about 90 metres the mines affect 28 hectares around the town centre. They were abandoned in the early part of the 20th century and filled with concentrated brine to prevent fresh water from the River Weaver entering and causing dissolution of the rock salt pillars supporting the mine roofs.

All seemed well for this sleepy suburb but in 1988 developers, investigating a potential site in the town, discovered that deterioration could lead to mine collapse within the next few decades.

This sparked off a major study into the state of the mines, as well as, not surprisingly, worry and property devaluation. Since 1994 Northwich has been unable to develop properly due to planning restrictions imposed because of the mines subsidence threat.

Rescue first seemed possible when in July 2002, English Partnerships announced they were giving £28 million to Vale Royal Borough Council to carry out highly technical work to stabilise four of the town’s rock salt mines. All it needed now was the planning and organisation.

This week sees a major advance not only for the mines stabilisation but complete town regeneration. Five key regeneration partners - British Waterways, Cheshire County Council, English Partnerships, Northwest Development Agency and Vale Royal Borough Council - have pledged to combine resources and expertise to secure and revitalise the town centre.

Work is due to start later this year on the complex programme of stabilisation for the four mines located under the town. Funding totalling £32 million has been secured from the Land Stabilisation Programme, managed by English Partnerships, the national regeneration agency, on behalf of the Office of Deputy Prime Minister.

The partners are aiming to attract private sector funding and activity by developing feasibility and implementation strategies, a delivery plan and a new planning policy framework for Northwich. The regeneration plans for the area will focus around the town’s water frontages, to take full advantage of the scenic location.

British Waterways North West regional director Derek Cochrane said:

''This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to really change the face of Northwich for future generations.”

''The town currently turns its back on the beautiful River Weaver which flows through the centre. This is our chance to re-orientate the town around to embrace this wonderful waterway asset. Think of the Thames through Oxford and the River Avon in Stratford. We can make our river a really attractive feature of Northwich too.''

Councillor Bob Mather, Leader of Vale Royal Borough Council, said, ''This is the second major announcement for Northwich in six months, and I am delighted to be part of it. The signing of this important document makes all our dreams for Northwich come that bit closer and I am happy to commit the Borough Council to it.''

Anne Bingham-Holmes, Chief Executive of Vale Royal Borough Council, added, ''This is excellent news. Years of planning are now paying off and we can now work together to ensure this opens an exciting new chapter for Northwich. By creating a vibrant town, we will be able to attract massive investment and trigger an economic up-turn for Northwich and the Borough of Vale Royal.''

The stabilisation programme involves pumping out brine from the four mines and replacing it with a special grout mixture made from pulverised fuel ash, salt and cement. The work should be complete by 2006.