Ropewalks improvement project secures £5m
Graham Construction will soon be able to continue work on enhancing the Liverpool district’s public realm.
The first phase of the Ropewalks STEP scheme began in November 2020 but hit a funding snag before it could complete, according to council documents. Ropewalks STEP is focused on replacing footways and carriageways on various streets in the district, as well as upgrading street lighting and street furniture.
Graham finished the work on Wood Street and Slater Street in 2021 and 2022, respectively. However, Liverpool City Council did not have the funding required to complete the project, leaving Fleet Street, Colquitt Street, Back Colquitt Street, and Ropewalks Square without the promised upgrades.
As time went on, costs also increased by 20%, which led to Graham revising its bid for the cost of the remaining works to £4.8m.
Now, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has offered a £5m grant to support the Ropewalks STEP project. Liverpool City Council’s cabinet will vote to accept the grant at its meeting on 20 January.
The first phase of Ropewalks STEP is set to complete on 31 December, according to the grant agreement between LCR and LCC.
This area has seen similar refurbishments a few years back with the sidewalks being repaired ,with York stone paving I think, however this has been damaged in places by delivery lorries and other traffic.
Hopefully thought will be given in stopping this occurrence as this is not a cheap undertaking and it certainly improves the streetscape.
The Ropewalks , as it has been named, has been a great re-development project and has turned Duke Street, Seel Street , etc into a truly vibrant destination.
By Anonymous
Whilst the public realm improvements are welcome, they’re pointless if Liverpool CC doesn’t change the traffic regulation orders. Why are there single yellow lines all over the area allowing out of hours free parking that blocks the pavements and ruins the yorkstone in addition to depriving such a cash strapped council of funding.
By Anonymous