Phase 2 of the multi-million pound plan to upgrade The Strand on Liverpool waterfront will not begin until after the Eurovision Song Contest. Tony McDonough reports
A multi-million pound upgrade of The Strand on Liverpool waterfront will not begin until after the Eurovision Song Contest in May.
Last week Liverpool learned that it would be the host city for Eurovision, taking place on May 13, 2023. It was originally on a list of multiple UK cities bidding to host the music extravaganza and made it to the final two along with Glasgow.
Phase 1 of the upgrade of The Strand was completed earlier this year, 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.
New trees and public spaces have been created as has a permanent segregated cycle lane. 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.
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At a meeting of the Climate Change and Environment Select Committee on Thursday evening councillors were told the work on phase 2 would not begin until after Eurovision. The event will take place at ACC Liverpool and the council is keen visitors to the city aren’t faced with roadworks and delays.
A report to the committee said: “The works will include major changes to Strand between James Street junction and Liver Street (the southern tip of the road, at the Baltic Triangle).
“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
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.