Located at Princes Half Tide Dock on the Mersey, the development is half a mile from the current facility and will include a 30,000 sq ft terminal building. Tony McDonough reports

Work on Liverpool’s new £38m Isle of Man ferry terminal is finally beginning following months of delays.

A groundbreaking ceremony took place at Princes Half Tide Dock on Friday morning attended by Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram and Isle of Man Chief Minister Howard Quayle. The Isle of Man Government is contributing £35m to the project.

The development, located half a mile from the current facility, will include a 30,000 sq ft terminal building catering for the hundred of thousands of people who travel between Liverpool and the Isle of Man every year.

Manannan, the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company’s fast craft, sails between Liverpool and the Isle of Man and Liverpool up to twice a day between the spring and the autumn. It is particularly busy around the Isle of Man TT races when the vessel carries thousands of motorcyclists and motorsport fans.

The ferry terminal project will link in with the wider scheme to build a new cruise liner terminal at Princes Dock and the whole development is taking place within Peel’s £5bn Liverpool Waters project. It will also be not far from Everton FC’s proposed new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock.

Addressing those at the event, Steve Rotheram said: “Our waterfront is iconic and recognised the world over. The new ferry terminal will be a fantastic addition to it. Not only does the new terminal cement our special and historic links with the Isle of Man, it opens new and exciting opportunities – for trade, tourism and leisure.

“We have supported the project from day one and I look forward to it progressing further in the coming months.”

Originally work on the terminal was due to be completed in December 2020. However, planning and legal agreements have delayed the start of work and now the project is scheduled for completion in July 2020.

During the construction phase, it is predicted that the development will generate in the region of £3.2m for the Liverpool city region economy and provide up to 142 man-years of construction employment. A link road from Leeds Street is currently under construction, with the £7m cost being funded by Liverpool City Council.

Howard Quayle added: “The Isle of Man and Liverpool share a strong relationship based on our maritime connection, with a ferry route which has operated for more than 200 years.

“This development stands alone as the only construction project the Isle of Man Government has undertaken away from Manx shores, and will be the only property we own outside the Island. The project demonstrates the Isle of Man’s commitment to future-proofing connections with the heart of Liverpool and the wider region.”