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New cruise terminal plans
set to move forward
PLANS for a new cruise terminal in
Liverpool are set to move to the next stage. A report to the Cabinet, on Friday,
19 August 2016, will be asking for approval for further investigations, impact assessments
and surveys, and to start the procurement process for a technical team to advise
the council.
It could see the creation of a larger terminal able to handle turnaround cruises
with up to 3,600 passengers at the former Princes Jetty at Princes Parade in
Liverpool Waters. At this stage it is envisaged that a 2 storey building would be built on
reclaimed land on the River Mersey as well as the construction of a new quay
wall and changes on Princes Parade to allow coaches to drop off and pick up
passengers.
The new facility, if completed, would include a new passenger and baggage
terminal, passport control, lounge, café, toilets, taxi rank, vehicle pick up
point and a car park.
It follows a doubling in the number of vessels visiting Liverpool since it
became a turnaround facility in 2012; up from 31 to 61.
Passenger numbers are up from 38,656 four years ago to almost 78,000 this year
plus 34,000 crew; generating an estimated £6.5 million for the local economy
through spending while on shore.
Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said:- "I am determined that we find
solutions to continue the huge growth in cruise liners that we have seen over
the last few years. We know there is a lot of interest from cruise companies in
coming to Liverpool but what is holding us back at the moment is the limited
space we have in the existing facility. To deliver on our ambitions, we would
need to invest in a new terminal building which will bring bigger liners
carrying more passengers, meaning a bigger boost for the local economy. We have
various options of funding the scheme which we will be exploring, but the
figures speak for itself in terms of the jobs that are supported and created by
passengers and crew spending money while they are in the City."
Liverpool City Council is working closely with Peel, which owns the Princes
Jetty and Princes Parade, on the project.
Ian Pollitt, assistant project director at Liverpool Waters, said:- "The
growth of the cruise liner industry in Liverpool has been nothing short of
phenomenal and Peel has long been a supporter of the City's ambitions. We gifted
the site of the current facility in 2011 and we are delighted that it has proved
to be such a success in a very short space of time and we are happy to continue
to work with the Mayor and his team on these exciting plans."
Liverpool was named the UK's best port of call for two years running in 2013 and
2014 and scooped Destination of the Year by Seatrade Global in September 2015.
Earlier this year, Disney Cruise Line came to Britain for the first time and
Liverpool was one of just 2 English destinations they sailed in to.
Assistant Mayor and Cabinet member for culture, Councillor Wendy Simon, said:-
"This is a City with an unrivalled maritime heritage and there is always a
buzz when a liner is in port or we hold events such as the Three Queens and
International Mersey River Festival. Our award winning cruise liner terminal
gives passengers and crew a fantastic welcome and a larger, permanent facility
would enable us to give them an even better experience."
The Cabinet will be asked to commit up to £950,000 on the next stage of the
project. |
