Mersey Tunnels are to be given an 08 makeover

Nov 4 2007 by Larry Neild, Liverpool Daily Post

THE twin Mersey Tunnels to Birkenhead and Wallasey are being given their biggest-ever makeover to prepare them for Liverpool’s reign as European Capital of Culture.

A huge programme to spruce up the tunnels in advance of the year-long celebrations is now under way, and is expected to be finished before the end of January.

The statues of King George V and Queen Mary at the Liverpool entrance to the Queensway Tunnel have been the first to receive an extra bit of TLC in readiness for the big event.

The statues were commissioned to mark the opening of the Birkenhead tunnel by the King in the 1930s.

An original Mersey Tunnel inspector’s tollbooth housed at the Queensway entrance has also received a makeover, being painted the familiar Mersey Tunnel green.

Further painting, cleaning and land works will take place over the coming months at the plazas, portals, approach roads and inside all tunnels.

The east face – facing The Strand – of the stunning art deco George’s Dock Building will also be cleaned in time for 2008.

Cllr Mark Dowd, Chair of Merseytravel, which owns and operates the two tunnels, said last night: “Capital of Culture year is a chance for us all to showcase Liverpool and Merseyside in the best possible way. We were already planning these works, but have brought them forward in time for 2008.

“We are doing what we can to ensure lasting memories of our facilities are good ones. Hundreds of thousands of visitors will come through the Mersey Tunnels so it is important they see them in all their glory.”

Neil Scales, chief executive and director general of Merseytravel, said: “The tunnels are a vital part of our transport network and this is part of a programme of works we have accelerated across the transport network in time for 2008. These works are in addition to the £2m we have invested inside Lime Street station, the work we are doing at James Street, Sandhills and Bootle Oriel Road stations and the work we have completed at St Helens Central station and Liverpool South Parkway.”

Up to 95,000 vehicles cross under the River Mersey every day, using the two Mersey road tunnels.

During the past few years Merseytravel, which owns and operates the Kingsway and Queensway Tunnels, has invested heavily in the safety and security of the two tunnels.

Queensway Tunnel is the safest tunnel in Europe for its age.

Last year, Merseytravel launched a series of regular Tunnels Tours, which has seen thousands of people visit the inner workings of the tunnels.

The number of tours were recently doubled to cope with demand and in-clude a visit to the newly constructed escape refuges under the Mersey, access to the engineering control room, and a ventilation station.

larryneild