£5m plans to transform area surrounding Anfield Stadium

RESIDENTS, businesses, and road users are being invited to have their say about a £5 million scheme to transform the area around Liverpool Football Club's Anfield Stadium.

The proposed improvements are part of a wider regeneration effort under the Anfield Spatial Regeneration Framework (SRF) and aim to create a greener, safer, and more inclusive high street. The scheme will also support matchday operations and integrate with other ongoing projects in the area.

The proposals cover:- Walton Breck Road, Oakfield Road, Pulford Street, Back Rockfield Road, and Gilman Street, enhancing the area's appearance, safety, and accessibility.

Key features of the proposed scheme include:-

• Improved public realm and pedestrian connectivity.
   

• New soft landscaping and tree planting (excluding:- Pulford Street and Back Rockfield Road)
   

• Upgraded footways and paving using high quality materials.
   

• Carriageway resurfacing and improved drainage.
   

• Modernised street lighting.
   

• A new mini roundabout at the junction of:- Walton Breck Road and Oakfield Road.
   

• Reduced road widths and speed limits to calm traffic.
   

• Reconfigured on street parking and relocated pedestrian crossings.

These plans are part of a wider £250m investment into the Anfield Community, which has included:- more than 6 hundred new homes and upgrades to Anfield Stadium.

Residents, commuters, and local stakeholders are encouraged to complete the online survey.

Alternatively, people can attend a drop in event at:- The Liverpool Lighthouse, Oakfield Road, L40UF (Wednesday, 13 August, 10am to 5pm).

The consultation will present detailed design proposals, visualisations, construction timelines, and a summary of expected benefits. Feedback will help shape the final Stage 2 Detailed Design before construction begins.

All responses will be reviewed by Liverpool City Council and its design consultant, Aecom.

Feedback will be anonymised and included:- in an Engagement Strategy Report. No personal data will be retained beyond 12 months after the consultation closes on:- Friday, 22 August 2025.

For further information, please contact:- Development.Team@Liverpool.Gov.UK (please include:- 'Walton Breck Road' in the subject line)

Councillor Dan Barrington, Cabinet Member for Transport and Connectivity, said:- "This £5 million investment, in Walton Breck Road, is about more than just infrastructure; it's about creating a safer, greener, and more welcoming environment for everyone who lives, works, and visits Anfield. These improvements will help knit together the community, support local businesses, and ensure the area continues to thrive as part of our long-term regeneration plans."

Councillor Nick Small, Cabinet Member for Growth and Economy, added:- "We're proud to be bringing forward a scheme that reflects the voices and needs of our residents. From better lighting and safer crossings to new green spaces and improved accessibility, this project is a direct response to what people have told us they want to see. I encourage everyone to take part in the consultation and help shape the future of Walton Breck Road."

Stagecoach team up with national charity to boost customer service

STAGECOACH Merseyside and South Lancashire have partnered with a national charity to further improve the service offered to blind and partially sighted bus passengers.

Each of the Region's 4 bus depots are undertaking:- 'Swap with Me' training events, hosted by RNIB, to boost understanding of and develop solutions to common barriers to bus travel.

Drivers, driving instructors and senior managers are all given the opportunity to attempt specific challenges; including:- boarding a bus, scanning a smart card and finding a seat while wearing vision impairment goggles and using a white cane.

The 1st event, held at Birkenhead depot, also included:- a round table discussion on ways to make Stagecoach services even more accessible.

Training sessions were set up in response to the release of the RNIB's new AllAboard? report, which explores blind and partially sighted people's experiences of bus services in the UK.

Matt Davies, Managing Director of Stagecoach Merseyside, said:- "Customer service is paramount to us, and I firmly believe that we already do a huge amount of good work in how we welcome people with sight loss onto our services. However, we're always open to learning and refining our approach and the best way to do that is by working closely with expert organisations such as RNIB. These open discussions and practical demonstrations have already furnished us with a wealth of extra knowledge that will help us to improve our customer experience even further."

Terri Balon, RNIB Regional Campaigner for the North of England added:- "Travelling on buses is vital for blind and partially sighted people to get to work, go shopping and live their lives independently. RNIB's All Aboard Report unfortunately found fewer than half of blind and partially sighted people can make all the journeys by bus they want and need to. This event was a fantastic opportunity for Stagecoach bus staff and people with sight loss to swap and share their travelling experiences. Being able to sit in the cab and help our group gain an insight into what a driver must do when they are behind the wheel, while discussing how they can help improve the accessibility for blind and partially sighted people has been mutually beneficial. This level of engagement can really help improve the bus travel experience for people sight loss and thank Stagecoach for hosting the event."

Released in May 2025, the All Aboard? report highlights how buses are the most used form of public transport by people with sight loss, providing a vital link to work, education, healthcare, and community life. It concluded that some barriers are making bus travel too challenging for many. The findings include:-

• 56% of blind and partially sighted people said they'd like to go out more than they do.
   

• Fewer than 50% of blind and partially sighted people can make all the journeys by bus that they want and need to.
   

• 83% said it is:- "very important" to have the option to travel by bus.

The report draws on insights from nearly 1200 people with sight loss, and highlights the barriers faced at every stage of a bus journey, from identifying the right stop, to boarding safely, to knowing when to get off. It also outlines the steps various stakeholders can take to make bus travel more accessible and inclusive.

For more information on Stagecoach Merseyside, Visit:- StagecoachBus.Com.

For more information about RNIB, Visit:- RNIB.Org.UK.

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