Next stage of city centre revamp moves closer

Phase two will see major changes to traffic modelling between James Street and Liver Street, at an estimated cost of £5m

The second phase of the redevelopment of one of the key routes through Liverpool city centre is moving forward, after it was put on hold for more than a year.

Upgrades to The Strand were temporarily halted last year when the city hosted the Eurovision Song Contest.

The first stage of the £22m revamp, from Bath Street to James Street, was completed in November 2021, and it had been anticipated the second stage of the project - from James Street junction to Liver Street - would begin after Eurovision.

Earlier this month, Liverpool City Council appointed a contractor to assess the next £5m phase of the scheme, which will include a segregated cycle track.

A segregated two-way cycle lane was put in place as part of the first phase

Before the completion of the first phase in 2021, The Strand had remained largely unchanged since the 1950s.

The initial revamp saw a lane removed in both directions as well as a number of junctions. A segregated, two-way cycle lane was created, and more than 80 trees were planted.

The second phase of the redevelopment includes the continuation of segregated cycle lanes, new traffic signals, LED street lights, drainage improvements and carriageway resurfacing.

The bus lane on the southbound carriageway between James Street and Liverpool One Bus and Coach Station will be retained, with either two lanes or three lanes for general traffic established along the 1.4 mile stretch.

The council report also stated the latest phase of redevelopment would strive for "collective action to improve local air quality".

"The delivery of The Strand corridor will support the aims of the Liverpool Clean Air Plan to ensure that levels of Nitrogen Dioxide and Particulate Matter are better than the statutory legal limits by promoting the switch away from polluting vehicles to active travel for shorter journeys," the report stated.