Cruise liner terminal back in place after tests success

Oct 29 2007 by Larry Neild, Liverpool Daily Post

Liverpool's cruise liner terminal (320)

LIVERPOOL’S new £19m cruise liner terminal has finally been completed, and now awaits a procession of ocean queens over the coming year.

The landing stage was initially opened in September for the visit of the QE2 to Liverpool, but two of the four pontoons had to be removed afterwards and towed to the Cammell Laird shipyard for final inspections.

By this weekend they were firmly attached again to the landing stage, with the entire structure now passing stringent Lloyd’s Register inspections.

To add to the boost for the term- inal, the new link span bridge – named Cunard Way – has been handed over to the city council by contractors Balfour Beatty.

The bridge will enable coaches to drive directly on to the cruise liner terminal.

During the visit of the QE2 and two other cruise liners in the late summer, passengers had to walk to buses and coaches parked along Princes Parade.

The bridge will also be used by the Isle of Man Steam Packet company to enable drivers to board the Super Seacat at its landing stage, which is linked to the new cruise terminal stage.

A city council spokesman said last night: “The two final pontoons have been successfully surveyed and are now back in place.

“The link span bridge is now available for use and has been handed over.”

As part of the work at the Pier Head, a holding area has been created to enable vehicle traffic headed for the Irish Sea ferries to wait in a dedicated zone, close to a new control point.

During 2008, at least 18 cruise liners will call at the new landing stage, along with a number of Royal Navy vessels paying courtesy calls.

The highlight will be next autumn when the QE2 pays her last and poignant visit to the Mersey before being retired to Dubai where she will become a floating hotel.

Liverpool is one of the ports of call during the final round-Britain cruise by the 40-year old QE2.

larryneild