Consultation to launch on £4m Anfield high street revamp

Liverpool City Council is teaming up with AECOM to design what it describes as a visually more appealing and healthier public street scene.

Improvements to pedestrian movement and safety are included in early stage proposals that will focus on how the main road and connecting streets leading to Liverpool FC’s stadium can be upgraded.

Outline designs and feedback from the consultation will be included in a report to the council’s cabinet in autumn, with a view to the authority appointing a contractor to begin delivering the scheme next spring.

Proposals will focus on highway and public realm upgrades along Walton Breck Road, Oakfield Road, Pulford Street, Back Rockfield Road, and Gilman Street.

Currently at the initial design stage, the prospective scheme aims to improve walking routes and create wider footpaths.

The installation of landscaping and public realm features, as well as the provision of trees and underground bins, form part of the plans.

Feedback on the proposals can be given during a series of public events being held from next Wednesday, 22 May, at The Liverpool Lighthouse off Oakfield Road.

The online consultation will also go live on 22 May and will be open for feedback until Friday, 14 June.

Safety

A reduction in speed limit on Walton Breck Road from 30mph to 20mph, between the junctions of Blessington Road, is one of the suggestions being made to improve safety.

Improvements to carriageways and crossings, as well as on-street and resident parking bays also feature in the plans.

The council has also included a proposal to close access to Back Rockfield Road from Pulford Street, while creating a safe area for vehicles to turn around.

Investment

This consultation period marks the next stage of a £300m investment programme for the area which began a decade ago.

Since then more than 600 homes have been created with 500 more refurbished, upgrades to Stanley Park have taken place and shops have been introduced.

Environmental street works and improvements to community facilities have also been undertaken since 2014.

‘More improvements to come’

Cllr Dan Barrington, cabinet member for transport and connectivity said: “The redevelopment of Anfield stadium has understandably received global attention, but the works to improve the surrounding community are more important in many ways.

“Creating a healthier, greener, safer and more visually appealing high street will have a major impact on the day-to-day quality of life of our residents in this community, who have already seen a lot of improvements over the past decade.

“I hope everyone in the neighbourhood gets to visit our public consultation events and gives their feedback. Their views are vital to ensuring this scheme works and delivers long-lasting improvements to living in, working in and visiting Anfield.”

Cllr Nick Small, Liverpool City Council’s cabinet member for economy and growth, added: “Enhancing the public spaces along Oakfield Road and Walton Breck Road is a vital aspect and a longstanding goal of the Anfield regeneration programme.

“Importantly, these proposed improvements to the high street will connect various regeneration projects in the surrounding area.

“This investment will also provide a boost to the existing businesses and those looking to invest and grow here, and there’s more improvements to come once plans for Anfield Square are formalised.”