Liverpool City Council is to spend £5m on upgrades to four streets in the city centre Ropewalks district. Tony McDonough reports
Four streets in Liverpool city centre’s Ropewalks district will get a “major makeover” in a £5m programme of works.
Liverpool City Council has secured funding from the Combined Authority’s Strategic Investment Fund. This will be used to carry out upgrades to Fleet Street, Colquitt Street, Back Colquitt Street and Ropewalks Square.
Works will include replacement of all pavements and road surfaces, along with the installation of new street furniture, bins, bollards and street lighting. The aim is to make the area safer and more welcoming for pedestrians and cyclists.
It will mark the second phase of highways enhancements to the Ropewalks district after the council implemented £3.7m of improvements to Wood Street and Slater Street in 2021 and 2022.
Due to this historic nature of the rope-making industry, the area is characterised by long narrow streets each running parallel to each other. This in turn has led to congestion and safety issues as the area has evolved into a cultural and creative centre.
Second phase of improvements is to start on Monday, February 13, with all works to be carried out between 7.30am until 6.00pm (Monday-Friday). Some weekend working may be necessary, but noisy breaking works will not take place before 9am.
With Liverpool announced as host city for Eurovision 2023, careful planning and consideration has been taken when planning the phasing of construction works around the event which will be held in the city in May.
To mitigate impact, the council is consulting with local businesses to ensure no construction works taking place within areas that are expected to see the highest visitor numbers.
Between April 17 and May 19, no works will take place on Fleet Street, between Slater Street and Hanover Street. During that period, works will be limited to Colquitt Street and Fleet Street (between Slater Street and Seel Street).
It is anticipated phase two of the Ropewalks scheme will be completed by the autumn.
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Cllr Dan Barrington, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Highways, said: “The Ropewalks district has developed over the past decade into a hugely popular destination. It is now a vital engine in Liverpool’s creative and night time economies.
“Due to the nature of the narrow roads and the sheer volume of people and traffic attracted to the area, congestion, air pollution and road safety has become a big issue.
“Given that the city centre will be bustling with visitors in late April and into May I’m glad we’ve been able to listen and work with local businesses to change the works programme and minimise the impact of this scheme.”