Digging in for Results
LIVERPOOL'S Big Dig is starting to show results as schemes come to an end or are nearing completion.
The Big Dig is one of Europe's biggest regeneration programmes, creating 14,000 new jobs and investing £3 billion in the city's redevelopment. It brings together all the major regeneration projects taking place throughout the city.
Recent progress on Big Dig schemes include:
- the completion of works on time and on budget on Renshaw Street/Berry Street, a £4m scheme, part of the City Centre Movement strategy (CCMS)
- works at Seymour Street/Copperas Hill, a £1.25m CCMS scheme has been completed on time and on budget
- two way traffic has been introduced on Tithebarn Street with the scheme scheduled for completion in the New Year when many of the traffic problems currently being experienced should be resolved
- the first buildings in the Paradise Project - the car park and bus station - have been completed
- the Met Quarter Retail development is scheduled to open early in Spring.
"I know there has been enormous disruption and frustration among motorists, businesses and pedestrians because of the huge amount of work going on under the Big Dig umbrella," said Councillor Warren Bradley, Leader of Liverpool City Council. "But we are now starting to see the results - great improvements to our roads and pavements and new buildings appearing.
"The Big Dig is not just about roadworks - it is about transforming Liverpool and we are already witnessing the signs of success because, unlike other cities, we are seeing an increase in the footfall in the city centre. Despite all the difficulties more and more people are finding Liverpool an attractive place to visit and shop and find that they can get here despite all the roadworks!
"Most people realise that you cannot have this level of regeneration taking place without needing extra power and improvements to our water and sewage systems. They recognise that if you have new developments like the Met Quarter and the Paradise Project, they need new main supplies which cause further roadworks and disruption.
"While I wish I could claim that there is going to be no further large-scale disruption this is not the case. Next year we have major work scheduled for the Strand and Edge Lane.
"Clearly these will cause big problems for motorists, but we are always looking at ways we can keep the disruption to a minimum - by getting utility companies to work together when they are digging up the roads instead of one digging up the road after another, for example. And we are looking at ways of keeping the public better informed about the best alternative routes to use."