Historic street set for 2 week closure

ONE of Liverpool's original 7 medieval streets is to temporarily close tomorrow as part of a ₤47m highways scheme in the City Centre. Water Street, which used to lead down to the Mersey shoreline, is to close for 2 weeks from 9.30am on Friday, 5 March 2021 to enable engineering works at its junction with The Strand. The Strand; which runs past the historic Royal Albert Docks, Liverpool ONE and the 3 Graces; is undergoing a ₤22m eco-friendly redesign to improve air quality as part of the Liverpool City Centre Connectivity programme. The scale of the engineering works requires Water Street to be closed at its junction with Castle Street, just before Liverpool Town Hall.

Current bollard access restriction to Castle Street, Brunswick Street and Lower Castle Street will be lifted temporarily to allow vehicle access for the duration of the works. Road diversions will be in place whilst business deliveries will be allowed. Water street will reopen, on Monday, 22 March 2021. The poor safety record of The Strand, with four fatalities in the two years before works began, is also being addressed with the creation of wider pavements and shorter pedestrian crossings.

The removal of several junctions along the 2km long, 4 lane dual carriageway, such as Mann Island, has also been designed to ensure traffic flow is more fluid meaning less air pollution, as cars are not stopping and starting so frequently. The Mann Island junction is to be remodelled as open space and a potential site for performances and public art. The Strand currently has a 1 lane filter on the Southbound carriageway, from Leeds Street to James Street, to allow contractors to install a new kerb line, footpath and to plant more than 30 new trees. This 1st Phase of works is due to end in Summer 2021.

Another key element of the new look Strand is to create a permanent segregated cycle lane to connect the South of Liverpool to the North, allowing cyclists to eventually ride the full length of the Mersey from Otterspool to Southport. Plans are also being developed to ensure the City's new, 65 mile, pop up cycle lane network is connected.

New trees, specially planted to reduce flooding, and public spaces are also being installed as part of a wider strategy to attract and promote walking in the City Centre. It is estimated that the overhaul of The Strand, which has remained untouched since the 1950s, will be complete by Spring 2022. The ₤47m Liverpool City Centre Connectivity (LCCC) scheme has already led to changes to Victoria Street, Dale Street, Brownlow Hill, City Bus Hub and the removal of the Churchill Way Flyover, as well as a new coach park.

The LCCC is receiving ₤40.1m from the Local Growth Fund with local match funding of ₤7m and is a major part of Liverpool City Council's Better Roads programme. Local Growth Funding is awarded to the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and invested through the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority through its Strategic Investment Fund.

Councillor Sharon Connor, Cabinet Member for Highways, said:- "The phased remodelling of The Strand is moving at pace now and although there will be some disruption our contractors have worked very hard to minimise the impact, especially for businesses. Water Street is a key junction and it's vital to close the access to The Strand to enable our contractors to work in safety. Anyone travelling into Liverpool City Centre can see the changes taking place and thankfully the finishing line is now in sight for this phase of the upgrade to The Strand. It hasn't been touched for more than 50 years, yet the City Centre has evolved out of all recognition in that time. These works will create a safer, smoother, cleaner and greener City Centre for walkers, cyclists and motorists and will future proof our road network for many years to come."

Bill Addy, Chief Executive of Liverpool BID Company, said:- "As part of the Commercial District Strategic Regeneration Framework one of the issues raised was around connectivity and accessibility which the City Centre programme is beginning to address. Businesses still need to work while this goes on and we'll be working with the Council to raise any concerns businesses have around access to their offices or getting around in the short term while these works continue."

Lovell breaking ground for women in construction

THE construction industry is widely reported to have the worst gender balance of any UK industry, with just 13%, 1 of all workers being female. As the 8 March 2021 celebrates International Women's Day with the theme:- 'Choose To Challenge,' Lovell is celebrating its year round commitment to improving gender equality. Compared to industry norms, 30% of Lovell's workforce is female, while not quite the 50/50 split the business is striving for, this figure demonstrates the ongoing commitment to even up the balance. Through its culture, staff and initiatives, rectifying the gender imbalance in the construction industry is something Lovell strives to achieve everyday. As a consequence, these actions are naturally embedded within the business.

Janet Cook, a site manager at Lovell's Miles Platting development in Manchester, has worked in the North West team for more than 20 years. She said:- "Every day we are breaking down barriers for women entering the construction industry; with every woman that takes up a role typically perceived as a male job, we edge closer towards total equality. I've been a site manager for many years and I love it. As a career it is challenging but very rewarding and I think more women should consider this path."

While Lovell has a clear strategy to address the imbalance of gender equality in its own business, it's important that the industry joins forces to emphasise that women have an equal place in construction. Marta Weglarowicz joined the North West team as a graduate and has since climbed the ranks to become assistant development coordinator and a HBF Construction Ambassador. She added:- "1 of the challenges we must overcome is the perception of the construction industry. It's very much viewed as a man's world and we need to break down these out dated attitudes. Engaging with students, graduates and other young professionals considering their career choices is where we must target our message. Through education we will change opinions pave the way for the next generation of women joining our incredible sector."