New-Look Pier Head Reopens

THE first phase of an £8m scheme to bring a new look to Liverpool’s world-renowned Pier Head is to be opened to the public.

During the past year the area in front of the Three Graces - the Liver, Cunard and Port of Liverpool buildings; has been transformed to create a world-class public space incorporating a new canal.

It includes high quality paving works, a new lawn, an area to stage events and feature lighting as well as two canal basins.

The work on the canal link began in December 2006 witthe public realm works starting in autumn 2007. The first phase - the south and central areas in front of the Three Graces – will open on 28 October with the northern area at the end of November and the area around the new ferry terminal in Spring 2009.

The canal link will also open in Spring 2009 when narrowboats will be able to pass across the Pier Head.

“Transforming the waterfront has been one of our main priorities in regenerating Liverpool. At the heart of that is the Pier Head.

It is an area which is known throughout the world and is the core of our World Heritage site. It has been under–used and not fulfilling its potential. It is a place which both local people and visitors should regard as a must-see attraction.

The work we are completing will bring life and animation back to the Pier Head as well as making it a very attractive area. The design is imaginative and fits in well with the other major schemes taking shape around the waterfont.” said Cllr Warren Bradley, City Council leader.

Robin Evans, chief executive, British Waterways said:- “As an integral part of the Liverpool Canal Link, British Waterways has delivered the public realm works at Pier Head on behalf of the city. When the Canal Link opens to boating traffic in spring 2009, for the first time in over a century, canal boats will sail once again across the world renowned Liverpool waterfront and into the heart of this famous city. The link will bring animation to the waterfront and rejuvenate the communities the canal passes through creating jobs and bringing economic benefits to the region."

The Pier Head work has involved creating sheltered areas with seating overlooking the canal. In the centre of the site is a new lawn, around the Edward V11 statue which, along with the Alfred Lewis statue, has been cleaned and restored,

There is new feature lighting and areas have been paved in granite and other high quality materials.

The project has also included the replanting of Canada Boulevard with sycamore maples, replacing the previous trees which were in decline and poor health and the associated plaques have been relaid.

Funding for the public realm was provided by the Northwest Regional Development Agency and the Government Office North West.

The project has been championed by the City Council and Liverpool Vision. The master plan for the area was produced by landscape architects EDAW with 2020 Liverpool providing the engineering design. Lighting design was created by consultant Graham Festenstein. British Waterways has project managed the works with Balfour Beatty Engineering Ltd as contractor. The design for the canal and engineering supervision was provided by Arup.  ...continued...

...continued... Deputy Leader of Liverpool City Council, Cllr. Flo Clucas, who was herself, responsible for putting the initial concept of the new cruise line terminal before the council, was patently thrilled with the events unfolding. She said that enormous thanks were due to all those who had the foresight to make these developments happen, both the canal and elsewhere on the waterfront. "All this will be great for the city, but would not have occurred without much hard work." She paid tribute to all parties involved. "Right from the outset, both private and public agencies and of all political persuasions had worked well together and had striven to ensue that it all happened. It had been an ideal team. In particular she made special mention of four then civil servants; Chris Mussen, Richard Nutter, Mike Hennessey, and Keith Barnes, all of Objective 1, who had played key roles."

In answer to the question; What next? She replied that "once the new museum has opened in the near future, it will be possible to sit there and survey the whole waterfront from on high." She hopes that the area will become an artistic paradise. Especially when the summer sunshine causes sparkling reflections of the iconic buildings in the water and lights up the gleaming stonework, "it will provide inspiration to many; an outdoor art gallery as well as a place people just want to come to. Maybe a second World Heritage site, but this time not of the old, but of the new?"

Chris Mussen added that:- "We have to ensure that all projects are finished by the end of December 2008, before the funding ends and also to show that the £1 billion given has indeed been well spent."

The canal is expected to be fully open by March 2009. Then everyone will be able to savour its delights.

Email us your views on the new look for Liverpool's Waterfront. Do you like it? Send your emails to our newsroom via:- news24@southportreporter.com.

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