Bold Street to close to traffic for five weeks

Mar 26 2008

A BUSY city centre shopping street will close to traffic as part of a £35m waterworks scheme.

Bold Street will shut for five weeks when it becomes the latest road to fall victim to a long-running project to replace Liverpool’s ageing Victorian water mains.

United Utilities wants to improve water supplies to city centre shops and businesses.

But shopkeepers fear the closure could affect their trade and have an effect on future business.

Pedestrians will be able to get in and out of Bold Street – home to the likes of HMV and Waterstones – but cars will be blocked.

The five-week project was due to begin next Monday when the road would have been closed between the junctions of Newington and Colquitt Street for four weeks.

But the scheme has now been delayed so further talks could take place with Liverpool council about a new start date.

When the work is being done, delivery vehicles will only be permitted to enter Bold Street between 6pm and 10am.

Business leaders today voiced their concern.

A spokesman for Liverpool Chamber of Commerce said: “While our members appreciate this necessary work must be carried out, the city centre has suffered several years of disruption due to the Big Dig, which has made access for goods delivery and customers difficult.

“Businesses in Bold Street have already expressed concerns about losing trade to other parts of the city centre.

“This is a popular area for customer parking during the day and night, and traders are concerned that passing trade lost during this protracted period will take longer to recover and may adversely affect their future business.”

Steve Rennie, proprietor of Rennie’s Art Shop, said: “It is the 6pm-10am delivery time slot that really worries us. It only gives us a one-hour window for deliveries.”

United Utilities’ project manager John Maher said access would return to normal once the work was done.

He said: “We would ask everyone to bear with us while this essential work is carried out.

“While we recognise our improvement work may be inconvenient for a short period, the long-term benefits will make it worthwhile.

“This is one of the many schemes that our customers’ bills help to fund and it will be well worth it when it is finished.

“We would advise businesses to ensure delivery agents and suppliers are aware of this temporary situation.”

The Bold Street improvements will follow an ongoing project in nearby Hanover Street, which started in January.