Liverpool could benefit from £45 million worth of transport improvements if the city council gives the green light to plans being discussed next week.
Under the proposals, a major new event space would be created outside Liverpool’s iconic St George’s Hall.
The proposal, which involves expanding the current plateau into Lime Street to create a world class “gateway experience”, is one of eight major projects that will transform how people move around Liverpool city centre – by foot, bike, car, coach and bus.
Another key element includes the transformation of The Strand from an eight to a four lane, tree lined highway with the simplification and removal of key junctions including the bus interchange at Mann Island to the Pier Head.
The changes, which involve altering traffic signal timings, will lead to a better traffic flow and improve the visitor experience for pedestrians walking from the city centre to the waterfront. The new look Strand would also include a cycle lane connecting the north and south of the city as well as the creation of more public space and street furniture.
The Liverpool City Centre Connectivity Scheme (LCCC), which goes before Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet on Friday 19 August aims to boost transport links and further fuel Liverpool’s international appeal to investors, shoppers and tourists with its visitor economy, currently valued at £3.6bn/year, expected to grow by 25% over the next 10 years.
Councillor Malcolm Kennedy, cabinet member for regeneration, said: ‘’Liverpool’s international appeal to visitors and investors has blossomed over the past decade and this has set many new challenges and new opportunities.
‘’This new transport scheme addresses many of our current and future needs to improve the city centre welcome and provide an experience befitting a world class city.
‘’With a growing residential population, a huge rise in visitors and major developments in the pipeline, how we navigate around the city centre needs a radical rethink in key locations and some major improvements.
‘’The creation of an extended St George’s plateau, a new look Strand, a new bus hub, a new coach park, new dock bridges and upgrades to cycling and pedestrian routes from the Knowledge Quarter to the Waterfront will open up a new world of possibilities for investors, event organisers and travel operators to further accelerate the future growth of the city centre and wider city region.
‘’This is a scheme that will make a huge difference to how everyone from residents, workers, shoppers, students and tourists can enjoy Liverpool.’’
Once the tender exercise is complete, the cabinet will receive a new report with detailed costs, timescales and further recommendations.
The LCCC scheme will receive £38.4m from the Local Growth Fund with local match funding of £6.3m.
Consultation with stakeholders on the scheme has already begun and a series of public consultation events will begin in September.
