Public realm revamp for business district passed

A £1.4m programme of resurfacing and improving footpaths and street furniture in Liverpool's commercial district has been approved by the council.

The work will take place in Old Hall Street, Bixteth Street, Edmund Street, North John Street, Eberle Street and Leather Lane.

The Commercial District Business Improvement District invested £900,000 in the programme, which will begin in the summer. The funding, raised via a 1% BID levy on business rates, was matched by the city council. The council will put a further £500,000 into similar work in Water Street in 2016.

The approval from the council's cabinet comes almost a year to the day from when the Commercial District will be seeking a re-ballot from its members, on 17 March 2016, to develop the district for the next five years.

The works are part of a wider four year programme across the city, which includes a new city centre connectivity scheme including new and improved signage and lighting, dedicated coach parking, more priority for pedestrians and cyclists and a review of bus routes to reduce delays to be delivered from 2017-2019.