Work on phase 2 of the multi-million pound upgrade of The Strand on Liverpool waterfront will not begin until 2024, LBN has learned. Tony McDonough reports
There will be no work on phase 2 of the multi-million pound upgrade of The Strand in Liverpool city centre until 2024.
LBN understands that Liverpool City Council expects to put out a tender for a design review for the project before Christmas. This means there will be no work done on the stretch from James Street to the Baltic Triangle this year.
Phase 1 of the upgrade of The Strand was completed in early 2022, stretching from the junction at Leeds Street to James Street. It cost £22m and comprised a remodelling of the roadway and traffic flow to end the gridlock that had been a daily feature for years.
Late last year the city council announced that it would delay the work on phase 2 until after the Eurovision song contest, which took place in May this year. However, now it seems the project has been pushed back further.
During phase 1, new trees and public spaces and a permanent segregated cycle lane were created. Phase 2, the cost of which has yet to be determined, will see similar changes made to the highway from James Street to Liver close to the Baltic Triangle.
A major part of the plan is for the cycle path to connect the south of Liverpool to the north.
This will allow cyclists to eventually ride the full length of the Mersey from Otterspool to Southport. It all forms part of the £47m Liverpool City Centre Connectivity (LCCC) scheme.
A report to the city’s Climate Change and Environment Select Committee in October 2002 said: “The works will include major changes to Strand between James Street junction and Liver Street.
“The scope of works include the continuation of segregated cycle lanes, new traffic signal equipment at all junctions, road markings and traffic signs, LED street lights, new street trees, new drainage including SuDS and carriageway resurfacing.
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The LCCC is receiving £40.1m from the Local Growth Fund with local match funding of £7m.
Local Growth Funding is awarded to the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership and invested through the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority through its Strategic Investment Fund.