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A free start to Liverpool's
new ₤6.5M City Centre Car Park
IN Liverpool, motorists are being given
an early Christmas gift from the Mayor of Liverpool who has announced the City
Centre's newest Car Park will operate for free in its 1st week. Victoria
Street Car Park opens, at 12 noon, on Monday, 18 December 2017 and users will
not be charged until Boxing Day, Tuesday, 26 December 2017. Instead drivers can
make a voluntary contribution to the Mayor's Hope Fund which supports
disadvantaged families including helping to fund foodbanks.
Following a ₤6.5m conversion from a ground
level operation to a 4 floor multi storey, the new Car Park provides 333 car
spaces including 15 motorcycle spaces and 28 cycle spaces. To operate 24/7
365 days a year, the new Car Park will also provide 3 electric vehicle charging
bays. Adjoining the Car Park is a 3 storey retail and leisure build,
complete with a rooftop terrace, which has capacity for outdoor seating on a
widened pavement area. These units are currently being marketed to let.
The scheme, funded by Liverpool City Council,
has been designed to reduce congestion and pollution caused by the former 121
space Car Park which did not publicise spaces and caused motorists to circle the
site waiting for an available spot. Clad in coursed stone with large
glazed openings, the new Car Park will also lead to a new tree planting
programme around the Victoria Street area.
Mayor Joe Anderson, who drove the 1st electric
car into the new Car Park, said:- "Victoria Street plays a vital role in
our City Centre for shoppers, diners and visitors and this high quality Car Park
will provide a huge boost for surrounding businesses such as the Metquarter and
for guests staying at numerous nearby hotels. As we're gearing up for Christmas
I thought users would welcome a free week to give a little help with their
shopping spend and give them the choice of supporting those less well off than
themselves. The voluntary contribution option will remain after charges are
introduced and the income from the Car Park will be re-invested into supporting
Council funded services. In spring 2018 Victoria Street will undergo a major
highways improvement scheme, quickly followed by the creation of a new City
Centre Bus Hub in nearby Old Haymarket. These schemes are part of the ₤45m City
Centre connectivity programme which will include a redesign of major streets
such as Lime Street and The Strand."
Councillor Ann O'Byrne, Deputy Mayor of Liverpool, said:- "Victoria Street
Car Park is a much needed eco-friendly addition to our transport facilities as
it provides cyclists and electric vehicles more options when travelling into the
City Centre. Crucially this new Car Park, which has been tastefully built to
complement the surrounding architecture, also hails the beginnings of a much
wider transformation to City Centre traffic management over the next 2 years."
Built by contractors Willmott Dixon, Victoria Street Car Park can be accessed
from Crosshall Street with the exit on Sir Thomas Street. Anthony Dillon,
managing director got Willmott Dixon in the North West said:- "We are
delighted to have handed over our latest project for Liverpool City Council. As
ever our focus has been on making sure that local people and businesses also
benefit with at least 40% of our budget spent within the City."
Alternative City Centre parking is available by following Car Park Signage
directions.
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