Liverpool to trigger transport masterplan
A report to the city council’s cabinet seeks sign-off for the Liverpool Urban Mobility and Public Spaces Plan, an investment programme running up to 2045.
The draft plan, which goes before cabinet on Tuesday 21 January, is part of LCC’s overarching drive to achieve net zero status.
WSP and LDA Design are working with the council on the project.
Officers and advisors have identified key sites, opportunities and challenges within the city centre as they put together proposals for investment in enhanced transport and public space for both the immediate and longer-term future.
No specific project costings are given at this stage, but the headline aims are for a fully integrated public transport system, a comprehensive active travel network, and improved public spaces.
The plan builds on the Liverpool city centre connectivity programme – delivered amid some difficulties from 2020 onwards – which saw more than £50m invested in upgrading key routes such as Lime Street and The Strand and developing active travel routes from the waterfront to the city’s Knowledge Quarter.
LCC said the new masterplan follows a data-driven approach to identify the next chapter in the evolution of the city centre.
Immediate progress will be through the introduction of “quick win” schemes, followed by long-term projects.
The initial quick wins are:
- Castle Street – develop the area to improve public realm and link the business district to the city centre.
- Monument Place/London Road – work with the Green Bus Route team at the Combined Authority and the City Development team to develop bus priority measures and improve public realm.
- Moorfields station – develop a masterplan for the area to guide its development.
- St George’s Gateway – improve pedestrian and public transport links. Key partners include National Museums Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University.
- Parking strategy – develop a strategy that guides parking for the whole city.
Longer term, the council is mulling changes to bus routings. Potentially to be carried out under bus franchising, there is a suggested routing map to improve connectivity across the city and its two main underground rail stations.
One possibility mentioned in the report going before cabinet is considering more bus routes through, rather than to, the centre, meaning less congestion at busy terminals.
Also mentioned in the report to cabinet is the potential reclassification of city centre roads, and the introduction of 20mph limits in the core city centre.
The adoption of the UMPSS would bring about full alignment with LCC’s cycling and walking infrastructure plan (LCWIP), combining in a bid to make active travel preferable to car use where possible.
Cllr Dan Barrington, cabinet member for transport and connectivity, said: “This mobility strategy presents a long-term plan for all types of movement in the city centre.
“It creates a clear blueprint for more active and sustainable movement. One of the key aspects is the improvement of the public realm.
“Areas such as Castle Street and London Road will be more attractive for people and businesses, boosting the attractions that Liverpool has to offer.
“Strategies such as this are key in driving the city forward into a future that prioritises people over cars, and creates and attractive and sustainable environment for us all.”
The consultants’ report on the proposed strategy can be viewed in full from the documents prepared for the cabinet meeting.
