‘Once-in-a-generation’ Liverpool Central station plans begin
Consultants based in the city have been invited to apply for a £1m contract by Liverpool’s City Region Combined Authority (CA).
The CA are looking to development a masterplan that will help address rail capacity issues and a regeneration vision to make the establishment and surrounding areas more appealing to the public.
Created 150 years ago, the underground station, which is classed as one of the busiest outside of London, acts as a huge gateway between the retail core of the city centre and the fast-growing Knowledge Quarter. This is why both the CA and Liverpool City Council are so keen to kickstart regeneration plans.
Once the contract, which is worth £1m, has been awarded, the CA will task the consultants with creating a strategy for the area surrounding the central station and identifying the ‘most appropriate’ delivery and funding models for upgrading the station.
Currently, Liverpool Central station is owned and operated by Network Rail, however in 2023 Metro Mayor, Steve Rotheram, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the government. This set in motion a process that he hopes will lead to the CA taking control of the network, offering huge potential for regeneration projects.
Although this isn’t an essential aspect to ensure the central station regeneration project goes ahead, it is thought that it will be the decision-making and logistics more straightforward.
The tender brief for the project reads: ‘The rail network and land regeneration of Liverpool Central station and the surrounding area is a once-in-a-generation opportunity.
‘Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) is excited to be approaching the market to help it deliver an ambitious transport-led programme which will create multi-faced regeneration opportunities.
‘LCRCA and its partners Liverpool City Council are seeking to deliver transformational place-based regeneration using the redevelopment of Liverpool Central station as a foundational catalyst.’
The deadline for submissions for the latest tender is 18th April 2024.
Image: Silver Ringvee
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