Street closure go-ahead boost for gay ‘village’

Nov 3 2007 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

THE creation of a formal gay village in Liverpool has moved a step closer after the council agreed to effectively pedestrianise a street in the city’s so-called Pink Triangle.

Last night, the gay community welcomed the move to close Eberle Street after 6pm to create a pedestrian-friendly area by use of bollards to restrict traffic flow.

The street has a number of bars and clubs including the famous Garlands club, but because it is so narrow vehicles using it presented a danger to revellers.

Liberal councillor Steve Radford, co-chairman of the Gay Business Association, said it was now hoped that similar measures could be introduced in Stanley Street and Cumberland Street, which also have a number of gay venues.

“We are delighted the council is going to do this as we have been campaigning for it for years,” said Cllr Radford.

“We already have a gay district, but it’s more about making it safer and a more attractive environment.”

Cllr Peter Millea, executive member for corporate resources, proposed the closure of Eberle Street at a traffic and highways committee this week.

The measure will require a formal order before the closure can be implemented.

The meeting also agreed to reverse the traffic flow in Stanley Street and Cumberland Street as part of the City Centre Movement Strategy to improve traffic flow to the new Liverpool One retail development.

Cllr Radford said that now moves were afoot to deal with Eberle Street, it should be easier to push through partial pedestrianisation of the other two streets in the Pink Triangle.

Last night, the council said consultation is due to start soon on a plan to close Stanley Street and Cumberland Street after 6pm as part of the gay quarter initiative.

Officials said the reversal of traffic on these roads was required so that traffic flow can be changed along North John Street to create better bus access to Liverpool One.

But Cllr Nick Small, opposition spokesman on regeneration, said: “I think reversing traffic in Stanley Street and Cumberland Street is unnecessary and waste of taxpayers money.”

He said he would have rather seen the flow of traffic reversed on Crosshall Street.

“It may well be now that as a result of the consultation another traffic regulation order is needed because of the gay quarter initiative.”

davidbartlett