The Big Dig: Liverpool delivers its verdict

Jan 21 2008 by David Higgerson, Liverpool Daily Post

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"THE scale of the redevelopment taking place is unprecedented. We are catching up on 50 years of economic neglect in five years. This work is essential for the long-term prosperity of our city. Yes it has been painful – but what is the alternative? To do nothing and let other cities race ahead?

“In the end, we are going to have an extra two million square feet of prestigious retail space putting us in the top flight of shopping destinations. We will have a 10,000 seat arena and state-of-the-art convention centre, a fantastic new Museum of Liverpool and miles and miles of new roads and footpaths along with improved public spaces.

“Most cities would give the right arm to have this level of investment.

“With huge projects like these, yes, things could always be done better. But we have worked incredibly hard to try and reduce the disruption. United Utilities has been carrying out essential work to modernise the city’s Victorian water supply, and the city council and our partners have invested £73m in improving the city centre’s roads, pavements and transport links.”

Frank McKenna, chairman of Downtown Liverpool in Business, said: “The results of this survey are repeating a lot of things we have been saying for the last three years.

“For instance, we have said for a long time now that although we recognise the need for an improvement, there have been occasions when things have not been done well, logistically.

“For instance, when the same road has been dug up three times – by three different contractors such as electricity, water and highways agency – on three different occasions.

“Given the fact that so much money has been invested in regeneration work, common sense says that these agencies could work together far more efficiently than they have been. We have also been calling for is some form of business rate subsidy. We felt at that time that there were a number of retailers finding it extremely difficult to survive let alone make a profit.

“Their customer base has been devastated and, unfortunately, some have now gone under. We just hope that those which have survived are in a position to continue.”

Liverpool Chamber of Commerce earlier this month likened the problems caused by the upgrade to the West Coast Mainline to the Big Dig, saying that there can’t be improvements without disruption.

What the council says in response > > >