Experiment could stop Strand traffic for an hour

Jan 19 2008 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

The Strand

TRAFFIC could be stopped for up to an hour on Liverpool’s Strand as part of an experiment to see how the city copes with traffic and high volumes of visitors to the new Echo Arena, Liverpool.

The 18-month order passed by Liverpool City Council means the key route can be closed by a uniformed police officer between James Street and Liver Street for an hour after events at the Arena and BT Convention Centre.

A spokesman for the city council said that the powers had been sought to make sure that people were able to leave the King’s Dock venue in safety.

He said early indications were that traffic could be managed by extending the red light phase on traffic lights at the Liver Street junction.

He said the order was in place in case it was needed in future when large crowds left the venue.

The experimental order will be monitored to assess its impact if and when the order is used.