Dale Street improvements gather pace

MAJOR carriageway improvements are about to get underway on Dale Street in Liverpool city centre.  Dale Street will be closed between Crosshall Street and Exchange Street East overnight (between 7pm and 6am) over the next 3 weeks.

The works, to resurface the carriageway on Dale Street, began Monday 4 April. They have been restricted to 3 nights in the first week and 4 nights in the 2nd and 3rd weeks to ensure there is no conflict with the night time economy at weekends.

The next dates for the work are:-

► Monday, 11 April , Tuesday, 12 April , Wednesday, 13 April  and Thursday 14 April 2011

►  Monday, 18 April , Tuesday, 19 April, Wednesday, 20 April  and Thursday, 21 April 2011

While the majority of the work will take place overnight to minimise disruption, the application of the new road surface will need to take place during the day to ensure it is of the highest quality. This will take place on Sunday 10 April and Sunday 17 April, 8am to 6pm; with full road closure between Crosshall Street and Exchange Street East at these times.

The carriageway improvements are part of the overall public realm works on Dale Street. The works are progressing well, with all public footway improvements due to be completed by Thursday, 7 April 2011.

Officers from the council’s traffic management team, Enterprise Liverpool and the contractor have visited all businesses affected by the road closure to advise them of the alternative means of access for one-way roads that run off Dale Street.

A key contact list has been provided to businesses who need advice, and information around the dates and times of the road closure are being displayed on the variable message signs across the city.

Merseytravel and the bus operators are fully aware of the works and have changed their schedules to fit in with the road closure.

The city council’s Director for Regeneration, Nick Kavanagh, said:- “This is a vital piece of work which will improve a hugely important city centre route and benefit local people for many years to come.  We are, of course, mindful of the needs of motorists, businesses and commuters, so we’ve planned the works to avoid peak times and minimise disruption as much as possible.”

A Taste of Spain’ returns to Liverpool this weekend 9th & 10th April

‘A Taste of Spain’ will return to Liverpool’s Williamson’s Square over 9 April & 10 April 2011, for the 2nd year. The free Spanish extravaganza is the first in a series of five nationwide events and will bring a slice of Spanish life to the metropolitan city of Liverpool. Regions from all over Spain will be showcasing their culture, gastronomy and activities and there will even be the chance to win prizes and book discounted holidays with Jet2.com offering 10% off any summer 2011 flight from Manchester to Spain.  ‘A Taste of Spain’ Liverpool will offer something for all the family with events taking place from 11am to 8pm on Saturday and 11am to 6pm on Sunday. Music lovers will enjoy Andalucía’s live flamenco band ‘La Tribu del Compás’, Galician band Radio Cos and pop rock Spanish Band Walden Uno.  Visitors can enjoy an amazing fantasy image experience posing for customised pictures in sunny Gran Canaria with the chance to win a fantastic holiday to the island for real, whilst children can get into character, with colourful face painting from the beautiful Balearic Island of Formentera. Activity seekers should head to Lanzarote to try out the surfing and kite surfing simulator which will give participants the experience of riding the waves or skimming across the sand. Tennis fans should cosy up to the Rafa Nadal ‘mascot’ who will be on hand to demonstrate his killer serve, whilst Mallorca will be challenging all budding Miguel Angel Jimenez’s to the longest putt competition! Those who watched Spain storm to glory in the World Cup can try their pitch perfect skills with the football simulator whilst trying to keep up with champion female freestyler Charlotte Lade who will be able to teach the boys a thing or two. Gastronomes in the crowds are also well catered for. Spanish cuisine is renowned internationally and some of the best regional cuisine will be available to sample. No Spanish festival would be complete without a paella and the one being cooked by the Region of Valencia will be the largest Liverpool has ever seen – perfect to tempt the crowds! From Salou and Cambrils in the North there will be olive oil, olives, nuts and dried fruits. The sun drenched Balearic Island of Formentera will bring local food and wine and the region of Galicia known for its palette tempting food and drink will being a fortifying liquer alongside the Spanish Tourist Office that will be offering Spanish wine tastings!  Ignacio Vasallo, Director of the Spanish Tourist Office in London states that for 2011, "‘A Taste of Spain Liverpool’ is offering two jam packed days of events, giveaways, sampling opportunities, music and more. With a full 2 days of entertainment on the main stage (from 11am to 8pm on Saturday and 6pm on Sunday), a giant paella (serving up to 1000 people), a longest golf putt, football zone and surf simulator, the Spanish regions are offering something for all the family!"

‘A Taste of Spain’ is touring the country also visiting London’s Canary Wharf on 12 May to 13 May 2011, London’s Regent Street, 5 June 2011, Edinburgh 16 July to 17 July 2011and for the first time Leeds 2 July to 3 July 2011. For more information, please visit the website or the dedicated Facebook page.