£7m facelift for Mersey tunnel ends
Merseytravel has completed an 18-month, £7m programme of improvements to the Queensway Tunnel between Wirral and Liverpool.
The 78-year-old road tunnel received new ceramic steel cladding throughout to improve visibility for drivers whilst reducing the amount of artificial light needed. The new cladding replaced plastic coated corrugated wall cladding installed by Merseyside County Council in 1983. There were a total of 5,999 panels installed including new 18-panel artworks at either end by local artist Alison Barker. The crests for both Wirral and Liverpool placed at the borough boundary were also updated.
Jim Barclay, Merseytravel interim chief executive and director general, said: "The tunnels are a vital part of our transport network and this investment represents not only improved safety for the hundreds of thousands of customers who pass through the tunnel each week, by enhanced visibility, but also reduces the environmental impact of the tunnel operation."
Merseytravel owns and operates the Mersey Ferries and several tourism attractions; the U-Boat Story, Spaceport, the Mersey Tunnel Tour, the Beatles Story, and the Beatles Story Pier Head.
BFG UK was the main contractor on the work.