The Lime Street redevelopment scheme is edging closer towards completion, with new pictures showing progress being made with installed paving around St George’s Hall.
The scheme has been significantly delayed after its original contractor, NMCN, went into administration last October with the project a long way from completion. The contractor’s collapse meant the city’s key gateway has been reduced to a building site for the best part of a year.
However there have been a number of positive developments in recent months with new segregated bike lanes installed along key parts of the scheme. Contractors are now taking the final steps to add improved paving around St George’s Plateau. The city council also hopes to advertise the tender for resurfacing of the scheme in the coming weeks, something a council spokesperson regards as "the final piece of the jigsaw"
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Work has been progressing since Huyton Civils was drafted in to secure the site and carry out essential repairs following NMCN's collapse. In February, a revised plan for the scheme was signed off by Cabinet which addressed the project’s previously controversial impact on public transport.
Under the changed design, buses will now be able to travel in both directions on Lime Street and there will be enhanced pedestrian crossings, improved cycle facilities, disabled parking facilities and a new bus stop outside the train station. Previous plans for a ‘reflective pool’ water feature have now been scrapped and the scheme will instead incorporate the refurbishment of the Steble Street fountain - situated outside of St George’s Hall.
Huyton Civils has been retained as the new lead contractor and a spokesperson for Liverpool City Council confirmed the authority remains "confident" that the scheme can be completed by the summer after months of disruption. It's expected that a tender for the resurfacing contract for the scheme will be advertised in the coming weeks.
