Tithebarn Street switches to two way traffic
Tithebarn Street became a two way street from its junction with Bixteth Street to Vauxhall Road from Monday 21st November 2005.
The change was aimed at improving access to the Commercial Quarter of the City Centre and these works are all part of the City Centre Movement Strategy, (CCMS) a £73m scheme to improve the roads and public areas of Liverpool, developed by partners Liverpool City Council, Liverpool Vision and Merseytravel.
The majority of traffic travelling in the new direction now turns off onto Pall Mall. Any remaining traffic can use Moorfields for access to the car park or to go onto Dale Street. There is also a right turn onto Bixteth Street for access to properties and Old Hall Street.
Pedestrians are being urged to use the new pedestrian crossings. All the new crossings are the new type featuring the red/green man at eye level above the push button control box rather than on the other side of the road. Barriers will be in place to discourage pedestrians from crossing at other points for the first weeks of the change.
The Tithebarn Street scheme cost £3.1 million and included work on footpath improvements and resurfacing the road. Facilities for pedestrians were greatly improved with better footpaths and more pedestrian crossings, as well as new facilities for cyclists.
The traffic signals were also improved at the junctions and new traffic signals installed at Bixteth Street and Pall Mall.
The entire scheme is due to be completed in February 2006 when a new bus lane will open from Bixteth Street running down to The Strand. This lane will make the entire length of Tithebarn Street and Chapel Street two way although only buses, taxis and cyclists are permitted in the direction from Bixteth Street towards The Strand.
Tithebarn Street will remain open to all traffic running from The Strand to Vauxhall Road.
The North West Development Agency is providing £2 million towards the cost of the Tithebarn Street scheme with the rest of the funding coming from Liverpool City Council, Merseytravel and City Focus.
Councillor Peter Millea, Executive Member for Regeneration, said: "The work on Tithebarn Street will help pedestrians and vehicles access our Commercial District with greater ease.
"Changing a road from one way to two way traffic means pedestrians and drivers will need to take extra care in the Tithebarn Street area until they become accustomed to the switch.
"The package of improvements to this area shows our commitment to improving the quality of our roads and pedestrian areas to make Liverpool a cleaner and safer place for us all."