In 1848 Victorian engineer Jesse Hartley built the Stanley Flight, a series of four locks connecting the Leeds & Liverpool canal to the city’s thriving dock system, allowing the rapid transportation of cotton and coal

An example of Victorian innovation and engineering in Liverpool’s docklands that has been obscured from public view for many years is set to become visible to all.

In 1848 Victorian engineer Jesse Hartley built the Stanley Flight, a series of four locks connecting the Leeds & Liverpool canal to the city’s thriving dock system, allowing the rapid transportation of cotton and coal flowed to and from the Lancashire mill towns.

The locks dropped the canal by 11 feet to Hartley’s new Stanley Dock and further cementing the Port of Liverpool’s pre-eminent role in global trade in the 19th century century.

However, a two metre-high, 10 metre-long wall on Great Howard Street has always obscured it from view.

Wall reduction

But thanks to a £20m highways improvement scheme passers-by will be able to enjoy this marvel of Victorian innovation which now stands within Liverpool’s World Heritage Site.

Heritage experts have begun a scheme to reduce the wall in height which Liverpool City Council hope will become a tourism feature in the new and emerging Ten Streets creativity district.

The work to remodel the wall has been designed by Liverpool based landscape architects BCA Landscape, which is also creating new artwork for the new Great Howard St Bridge, and is expected to be completed in March.

Attractive space

Bill Froggatt, heritage adviser at the Canal & River Trust, the charity that cares for the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, said: “The simple act of opening up the view on to the Stanley Flight is an effective way to ensure the heritage of the Industrial Revolution remains an important part of Liverpool’s story.

“Our staff and volunteers have been working hard to clear and tidy the area, and over the next few weeks they will be planting shrubs, herbs and bulbs, so that come spring this will be a really attractive space that everyone can enjoy whether walking to work or just out for a stroll in the fresh air.”

A widened pavement will also be created as part of the creation of a new dual carriageway on Great Howard Street (A565), which last September also saw the completion of the new £10m bridge to ensure heavier cargo can be transported to and from Peel’s £400m Liverpool2 port facility.creation of a new cycle lane creating a 13 mile riverside route from Formby to the city centre.