Headlines: Strand work completed, new contractors found for five stalled highways schemes

Phase one of the redevelopment of Liverpool’s waterfront gateway – The Strand – has been completed.

Contractors for Liverpool City Council, who are finalising minor snagging issues, have now removed all road works barriers.

Phase one of The Strand runs from Leeds Street to James Street, past the world-famous Three Graces to the former White Star line building where The Titanic was designed.

The Strand has been undergoing a £22 million eco-friendly redesign to improve air quality.

It’s poor safety record, with four fatalities in the past two years, is also being addressed with the creation of wider pavements and shorter pedestrian crossings.

A new segregated two-way cycle lane, which is set to open at the start of November, has been installed with the redesign also creating 2.2 acres of new public space, complete with new seating and the planting of more than 80 trees.

Phase two, which is set to begin in Spring 2022 and will see a further 70 trees planted, will run from James Street to Liver Street, passing Liverpool One, The Royal Albert Docks and ACC Liverpool in Kings Dock.

Contractors appointed to stalled highways schemes

Liverpool City Council has appointed contractors to complete the remaining highways schemes, which had stalled following the collapse into administration of Vital Infrastructure Asset Management.

Five schemes, which had a combined £4.9 million of work left to complete, were affected when the company went into administration in the summer.   

Councillor Daniel Barrington, Cabinet member for Climate Emergency, Transport and Environment, said: “The stalling of these highways schemes was a huge blow. We share the frustrations of everyone affected, and we apologise for the delays.

“The varying nature of these schemes has presented numerous challenges to get the works back on track, and although we’ve moved as fast as possible, we know it’s not been as fast as people wanted.”

Five schemes to be completed

Contractors for two of these schemes, which were less complex in nature – resurfacing on Kingsley Road in Toxteth and new lighting on County Road (A59) in Walton – were appointed via the council’s planned works framework.

Following a rigorous tendering process, contractors have now been appointed for the remaining schemes:

A59 / County Road and Walton Lane – resurfacing, ducting, kerbing and other civils, delivered by Huyton Asphalt Ltd.

A565 / Derby Road – resurfacing, ducting, kerbing and other civils, delivered by Dowhigh Ltd.

Byrom Street – pedestrian crossing, delivered by Colas.