Liverpool defers decision on Sandhills upgrades
In a familiar theme for football-linked planning bids this summer, Merseytravel’s expansion of facilities at the closest station to Everton’s Hill Dickinson stadium has been pushed back, pending a site visit.
The application was considered at Liverpool City Council’s planning committee yesterday, with approval recommended by officers.
Criticism was aired last year, with Merseytravel and city region leaders criticised for failing to get ahead and plan ahead of the 50,000-plus capacity stadium’s opening.
Some measures were introduced to accommodate the thousands of Everton supporters who use the station following the club’s move from Goodison Park to Liverpool’s waterfront.
But with matchdays leading to spikes in station use, safety concerns remain, leading to further measures being proposed, and recommended for approval.
Chief among the proposed measures was to alter the existing crowd management zone, including an extended corralling area, install a bus stop interchange at Dunes Way, install permanent toilet facilities and staff welfare areas, along with other alterations to infrastructure such as new emergency and pedestrian gates to Dunes Way.
The corralling area is one that has attracted criticism. The plan, as set out in the scheme’s design & access statement, is that the existing corralling area facing north onto Sandhills Lane, will be extended south along the strip of land between Dunes Way and the existing station ramp to the footbridge.
The southernmost extent of this will have new stair access to connect the Hunts Cross and Liverpool queues to the existing footbridge ramp.
Planning documents submitted to LCC stated that it has “become evident that the station’s continued ability to cope with the demand seen on match/event days requires further improvements to able to efficiently and effectively handle the volume of pedestrian traffic being generated”.
Although not directly coming from Everton FC, the deferment has echoes of the frustrations felt by rivals Liverpool over plans to permanently close part of Anfield Road and adjust its planning consent for hosting events, which has twice failed to win approval this summer.
Owen Ellis Architects worked with Merseytravel on the application, which can be found by searching reference 26F/1465 on Liverpool City Council’s planning portal.
LCC are the true enemy of Liverpool City Region
By Anonymous
So predictable, the planning committee know the layout at Sandhills as they’ve been there numerous times. This is just another example of their dithering and delays, and the sooner the Mayor can assume responsibility over this amateurish crew the better.
By Anonymous
This should all have been in place for the start of a new season. What a mess.
By Anonymous
For Christ’s sake, get on with doing stuff. Nothing ever happens at any pace in this city. Constantly left behind
By Steven Owen
Football clubs are important parts of the local community but they mustn’t think they are more important than the community.
I believe that Liverpool invested too much when they were given rights for a temporary road closure and now what to make it permanent – not appreciated by the locals. Even the MP (Ian Byrne ?) has opposed Liverpool’s application.
If Everton better engaged in the travel management around Bramley Moore up to Sandhills and down into the city fringe rather than leave it to LCC, LCRCA and Merseytravel who all seem incapable of planning – didn’t they think moving nearly 54000 people would be challenging – perhaps Sandhills won’t be in such a mess.
By Anonymous
It’s the wrong type of scheme – it should have been totally rebuilt with wider platforms with more frequent trains. Everton should have paid for it when permission was given for the stadium. Not sure what Steve was doing
By Anonymous
Its been a screw-up from the start, but how can anyone oppose the new plans, short of biulding a new station it looks fairly appropriate
By Anonymous
It’s all about people management.
The only possible benefit might be if better access to No51 Sandhills.
The proposal won’t stop loads of people blocking Sandhills Lane before they get to the station – it just moves the queues.
Without proper planning this is spending £2.5 million for aesthetics.
Can I get a rebate on my rates for this waste of money?
By Anonymous
Lets face it a few extra railings was never going to work, Sandhills needs a total rebuild to allow for more platforms and more people without making them wait in a joyless corral in the rain. Ideally a new station should have been built three years ago further up the line and adjacent to the stadium.
By GetItBuilt!
@ 2.04pm, if you think our football clubs are part of the local community like they used to be you’re wrong, they are massive financial ventures with global owners. OK we have Everton in the Community, and Liverpool have their community involvement but the old personal relationship has gone. Some of these Premiership clubs wouldn’t hesitate in moving to another city if it was financially attractive. As regards contributing to building a new station or upgrading one, why? Everton have already spent millions preserving Bramley Moore Dock and old dock buildings etc.
Whenever anyone in Liverpool consults locals there is always vocal opposition and then this is siezed on by the Echo, then the local councillors back them for fear of losing local votes, that’s why this city struggles to make progress.
By Anonymous
I don’t understand why when the stadium was first proposed it didn’t include a masterplan for the whole area including transport links. It looks like things are being done piecemeal which will inevitably lead to long-term issues.
By Anonymous
How is this consistently allowed. If a site visit is required why is it not arranged weeks in advance when the scheme is first on the committee agenda? Unnecessary delay and just poor planning.
By Abots
Disabled access to the ground and limited Parking for blue badge is appalling. People with disabilities can’t necessarily sit around waiting for hours so is the council and the club actually discriminating?
By Anonymous
When I moved to Liverpool 2 years ago, first thing that came to my mind was what is the travel masterplan for this massive new stadium? The fact is there was none. It blows my mind that you can build a stadium for 50000 people and not consider a mass transit option with at least one additional terminus train station, transport hub and efficent park and ride system. LCC is beyond a joke with this.
By Anonymous