The first phase of a major redevelopment of Liverpool's waterfront road is now finished - but there is still a lot of disruption to come.
Contractors have now removed all barriers on one section of The Strand - after work was completed on the section running from Leeds Street to James Street, past the city's world famous Three Graces.
Untouched in its layout since the 1950s, when the city’s Overhead Railway was dismantled, the radical redesign of The Strand has seen the removal of several junctions and a lane reduction in both directions as part of a bid to improve traffic flow, pedestrian safety and air quality levels.
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A new segregated two-way cycle lane, which is set to open imminently, has been installed with the redesign also creating 2.2 acres of new public space, complete with new seating and the planting of more than 80 trees.
The work on The Strand thus far has caused plenty of disruption, with motorists finding themselves in long queues at times.
While traffic is now moving smoothly along the route, there is more disruption to come.
Phase two of the £22m scheme is set to begin in Spring 2022 and will run from James Street to Liver Street, passing Liverpool ONE, The Royal Albert Docks and ACC Liverpool in Kings Dock - with a further 70 trees to be planted along the way.
This phase will see the continuation of the cycle lane, which will connect to the route running through the Baltic Triangle and onto the south of the city.
Work will also begin in 2022 to create new cycle lanes on Chapel/Tithebarn Street and Water Street, which will take cyclists from the waterfront to the Knowledge Quarter in the eastern district of the city centre.
The entire Strand project is seen as a key part of the city council's City Centre Connectivity Scheme, which has already led to major changes in Victoria Street, Dale Street, Brownlow Hill, City Bus Hub and the removal of the Churchill Way Flyover, as well as a new coach park.
The scheme, first launched in 2015, has proved controversial - especially after delays to the revamp of the Lime Street area caused by the collapse of the main contractor on the project.
Councillor Dan Barrington, Cabinet member for Climate Emergency, Transport and Environment, said: “We are delighted to all of the major highways elements required for phase one of The Strand redesign are now complete.
“The roadworks, coupled with the unforeseen delays, have tested us all and we are immensely grateful for your patience. It has been a frustrating time for motorists, bus passengers, cyclists and pedestrians. And for that we apologise. There remain some minor snags and work required on the gulleys and signage will be carried out over the next few days.
“Given the location and scale of the redesign, this has been a hugely complex scheme. We now hope that all road users will soon start to appreciate the benefits of the works. There are fewer junctions from Leeds Street to James Street, which has led to a much smoother traffic slow, as intended.
“New seating and trees have been installed to provide a more welcoming environment, with more than two acres of public space created to increase the overall experience of our historic waterfront.
“For cyclists, the new cycle lane will be fully functional once connecting routes to The Strand, and phase two, are complete. Next week a traffic order will open up access to Bath Street going to and from the north docks and works on Chapel/Tithebarn Street and Water Street are due to begin in the New Year connecting all routes.
“Temporary cycle lane features have been painted onto the footway in anticipation of phase two. This phase will run from James Street to Liver Street and is scheduled to begin in the spring.
“There are fewer junctions to design in phase two, but given this is a major highway in the city centre, some disruption will be inevitable. Once again, there will be a concerted effort to minimise the impact and we apologise in advance for that.”
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