Work starts on Edge Lane Project
£350m regeneration project will transform key eastern gateway to Liverpool.
Liverpool Land Development Company (LLDC) announced today (18 April 2006) that work has begun on the Edge Lane Project; a radical and comprehensive regeneration scheme that will transform Edge Lane and the surrounding area and create a high quality 21st century gateway to Liverpool city centre.
The comprehensive regeneration scheme, which is being led by Liverpool Land Development Company on behalf of the partners in the project, will include highway improvements, as well as the provision of over 550 new housing units, over 1,000,000 square feet of new and refurbished commercial and retail floorspace and community facilities.
The Edge Lane Project, which also involves making the whole length of Edge Lane a dual carriageway will also reduce congestion, create and safeguard 1,900 jobs, improve local services and enhance the local environment by planting over 100 new trees. The new urban boulevard will also create a modern gateway to Liverpool, whilst maintaining the architectural heritage of the area, reflecting Liverpool's Capital of Culture and World Heritage City status.
The Edge Lane Project partners include Liverpool City Council, national regeneration agency English Partnerships, the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), Kensington Regeneration, Community 7 Housing Association, New Heartlands Pathfinder, Government Office for the North West and the Department of Transport, and the private sector, making it unique in terms of all these partners working together on one project.
The main elements of the Edge Lane Project include:
- the improvement of standards of road safety along the route, with the entire route being made into a dual carriageway, more pedestrian crossings, remodelled junctions and the widening of the dual carriageway in the outer suburbs of the city;
- the elimination of traffic notorious traffic blackspots such as the outbound right turn into Wavertree Road, at St Cyprian's Church;
- in Kensington, the demolition of 380 life-expired terraced houses and the building of over 200 new homes for local people and key workers. The development includes sheltered accommodation, the construction of a new health centre and new retail facilities serving the local community;
- the redevelopment of the former Littlewoods building in Wavertree by award-winning developer Urban Splash, and the transformation of the site into a mixed residential, leisure and commercial development;
- a new approach road to Wavertree Technology Park from Edge Lane, providing the Park with a prestigious entrance;
- the transformation of the former MTL bus site into a Science Park, offering up to 260,000 sq. ft. of new space for offices and laboratories;
- a programme of environmental improvements including the planting of semi-mature trees on carriageways in the outer suburbs of the city, the installation of attractive street furniture and new lighting.
"The significance of the Edge Lane Corridor for the wider prosperity of Liverpool cannot be overstated," comments David Waugh, Chief Executive of Liverpool Land Development Company.
"This project will create a new high-quality gateway into the city centre, help in the drive to attract new jobs and investment and improve the local environment for people who live and work in the Edge Lane area. Indeed, the project will act as a catalyst for regeneration throughout the whole of Eastern Liverpool, helping to create new job opportunities and promote economic growth."
The start of work on the highway improvements will inevitably necessitate some delays and traffic disruption over the next two years. However Liverpool Land Development Company will be keeping all businesses, residents and commuters on Edge Lane informed about delays through a variety of methods including the Edge Lane website, email updates, a dedicated telephone information line, newsletters, traffic information leaflets, signage and traffic updates on regional radio stations.
Though the roadworks will necessitate single carriageway working in and out of the city, two lanes will be open into the city during peak times to help minimise congestion. Completion of the highway improvements is expected in time for Liverpool becoming Capital of Culture in 2008.
"LLDC recognises that this will be difficult time for those businesses, residents and commuters affected by the scheme," added David Waugh. "Accordingly, LLDC and its partners will continue to work closely with those most affected by the proposals, providing regular updates on the scheme."
More information
Find out more on the Edge Lane Project website (will open a new window).
(This page originally published 18 April 2006)