Successful Whitechapel exhibition moves to Vision
The exhibition revealing proposals for the regeneration of Whitechapel has moved from the 08 Place to Liverpool Vision's exhibition space at their offices at the junction of Whitechapel and St John's Lane.
A spokesman for Liverpool City Council said:
"We received some very useful comments and feedback about our proposals which we are now carefully considering.
"For example the taxi drivers had concerns about their new rank on Stanley Street so we are looking at moving the rank forward to keep it visible from Whitechapel and putting up some additional signs directing passengers to them.
"We look forward to more people visiting the exhibition at Liverpool Vision so we can continue to consult on this important project to upgrade a key shopping area."
Carl Speight, General Manager of the Liverpool Business Improvement District (BID) Company, said:
"We are delighted that Liverpool City Council are continuing with this important consultation process. The consultation on the ongoing works on Church Street and Lord Street has been widely praised by the retailers and businesses in that area so it is great to see that are continuing with their commitment to listen to the needs of business.
"The proposals to regenerate Whitechapel offer an opportunity to link the improvements already made in the Greater Williamson Square and Cavern Quarter areas, and the scheme underway on Church Street and Lord Street and we look forward to the scheme progressing successfully."
The proposed work in Whitechapel and Stanley Street would cost £1.5 million, in addition to the £5.5 million scheme on site on Church Street and Lord Street.
As well as making Whitechapel a pedestrian zone between Sir Thomas Street and Church Street, with hydraulic bollards in place to prevent vehicles from entering between 10am and 6pm, the proposals include changes to loading and parking in the area.
Loading will be restricted to between 6pm and 10am, to fit in with all the adjoining pedestrian areas and a new loading bay will be provided on Stanley Street.
After full consultation with the Taxi Association, it is proposed to move the taxi rank that is currently on Whitechapel outside the Metquarter to Stanley Street. Taxis will enter Stanley Street from Victoria Street, wait alongside the Metquarter, and then turn at the bottom of Stanley Street and exit back onto Victoria Street.
The disabled parking that is currently along this section of Stanley Street will be moved to new sites. Potential sites under consideration are all close to the shops and include sites on Sir Thomas Street and Victoria Street.
The new pedestrian zone will be repaved with the same high quality granite that is now in the Cavern Quarter and Williamson Square, with new street lighting, new trees, and new benches and bins.
It is proposed to start the works in early 2007, after the Christmas shopping period, with completion in early Summer 2007.
Cllr Peter Millea, Liverpool City Council's Executive Member for Regeneration and Transport, explained:
"This area of Liverpool has gone through a great change in recent months with the opening of the Metquarter so we need to continue this investment by improving the surrounding environment.
"The works underway in nearby Church Street and Lord Street, and those successfully completed in the Cavern Quarter and Williamson Square leave Whitechapel as the last piece of the jigsaw in this area.
"We believe our proposals will improve the look of the area, make it safer and more accessible, and we look forward to hearing the views of businesses and shoppers at our forthcoming exhibition."