A programme that closed three major Liverpool streets to cars to maintain social distancing during the Covid-19 pandemic is to continue despite having cost Liverpool Council around £1m in revenue.
As the need for restrictions became more apparent as Covid-19 spread in June 2020, the Liverpool Without Walls (LWW) scheme was introduced to allow businesses to offer al fresco seating and dining options. As a result, locations including Bold Street, Castle Street, Roscoe Street and Lark Lane were effectively pedestrianised in some parts to provide this service.
The scheme, which supported jobs in the hospitality sector, was implemented through temporary traffic regulation orders (TTRO) and according to a report to be debated by Liverpool Council’s cabinet next Friday, businesses are keen for the closures to remain in place. As a result, it is recommended the local authority’s executive implement longer term experimental traffic regulation orders (ETRO) with a view to the permanent adoption of pedestrianisation in these areas.
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The report into the proposed ETRO said since pavement licences were introduced during the pandemic, there has been a potential loss of income around £1m to the local authority. It said: “Additional street cleansing is estimated to cost an additional £20,000 pa and will be a further cost pressure for the Council and service provider to manage within the existing contract arrangement.”
The current TTROs for the four locations expire this year and the implementation of ETRO will allow the council to monitor the situation and make adjustments as necessary during the initial consultation period, while the carriageways are used to accommodate the outdoor seating areas. The proposed order will continue the closure of more than 50 parking and loading bays.
The measures on Lark Lane have been the subject of separate discussions and works have been carried out recently to improve the environment and address access issues for the disabled, the report said. Hospitality premises will be required to apply to the council for a pavement licence under the scheme.
Businesses with a pavement licence approved on or before July 22 will need to reapply if they want to continue using outdoor seating areas after the end of this month. Each ETRO at the four locations will include an initial six month consultation period during their 18 months of operation.
The measures will be considered by the cabinet when it meets at Liverpool Town Hall next Friday.
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