Thousands expected to greet QE2 at landing stage

Sep 20 2007 by Larry Neild, Liverpool Daily Post

THOUSANDS of Merseysiders are expected to flock to the riverfront tomorrow morning to watch the arrival of the Queen Elizabeth 2.

The world’s most famous ocean liner – on its round-Britain cruise to celebrate its 40th anniversary – will sail upriver at around 7am.

Princes Parade, in front of the terminal, will be open to the public, but general traffic will be banned on safety grounds.

Despite a race to finish the new link bridge, managers have decided not to use the bridge as an access point.

Instead, passengers will board fleets of coaches in the Isle of Man Steam Packet holding compound.

More than 1,800 passengers will be arriving on the QE2, with many of them leaving the ship to tour Liverpool or head farther afield on coach tours.

At around 11am, the Duke of Kent will unveil a plaque. In the afternoon, many of the passengers will be coached to Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral for a special 40th anniversary service.

At around 10.45pm, there will be a spectacular firework display to celebrate the visit, with the fireworks set off from mid-river.

The QE2 will not leave the Mersey until around 3am. Last night, teams of workers were putting the finishing touches to the terminal, making sure it is spick and span for the visit.

Landscape gardeners were finishing ornamental areas.

Last night, Cllr Mike Storey, the city council’s executive member for regeneration, visited the terminal and said: “This really does have the ‘wow’ factor.

“How can anybody fail to be impressed. This is going to make a tremendous difference to our economy.

“Nobody would have believed a few years ago that all of this activity would be taking place, the terminal, the new canal and museum, the new arena and the Grosvenor development.”

Steve Broomhead, chief executive of the Northwest Regional Development Agency said: “We have invested £10m of the £19m this facility has cost and it is well worth it.

“When people ask me what the NWDA does, I cite the cruise terminal in Liverpool as the kind of thing we do well. This is my first visit since it has opened and it is very impressive.”

Liverpool Culture Company tourism manager Keith Blundell said: “The captain of the Seven Seas Voyager said the facility was one of the most impressive he had ever used.

“Although the new span bridge is in place, we will not use it because there are still tests to be done. Cunard are happy with the arrangements we have. It is going to be a massive day for Liverpool.”

larryneild@dailypost.co.uk