City street repairs ‘a recipe for chaos and danger’, traders fear

Apr 10 2008 by Richard Down, Liverpool Daily Post

TRADERS fear that last- minute work to replace ageing water pipes could cause “chaos” and put thousands of revellers at risk in Liverpool city centre.

Business leaders, police and United Utilities yesterday held an emergency meeting after unexpectedly being informed late last Friday of a wave of closures along Wood Street and Fleet Street.

It will allow for work on replacing Victorian water pipes by United Utilities, part of which is to ensure the new £1bn Liverpool One development has enough water supply.

Several deep holes exposing water mains have already been sunk in the street outside restaurants and bars, even before some traders have been officially notified.

The first phase of work is set to last until April 30, while the second phase will start on May 1 until May 28.

Nadine Kenyon, of Revolution on Wood Street, said: “It’s been a communication disaster – total breakdown.

“There’s still the worry that at night time people are going to be coming out of the bar having had a drink and they’re going to either get hurt in the roadworks or rip up the works.”

She said that such massive disruption, at a time when Liverpool FC fans were gearing up for massive Champions League encounters, had the potential for serious problems.

On top of this, a huge student event has been planned on Monday April 21 and 28, called Carnage, which could see thousands of youths descend on Ropewalk bars. United Utilities assured licensees attending yesterday’s meeting that all holes would be filled back in or covered, and nothing would be left on site.

But, despite these assurances, Andy O’Connor, of Walkabout, Fleet Street, said: “It’s going to be total chaos. I would like to know what they’ve got in place with the football finals on the horizon.”

Joe Curran, of Business Crime Direct, wants to make sure United Utilities promises are followed through.

He said: “I think the risk assessment with the Health and Safety Executive needs to be made a priority. From my point of view, that there’s going to be no potential weapons left in the area is vital.”

Peter Dalton, United Utilities programme manager for major works, said: “We will remove anything that can be used as a weapon”

However, Makala Ellison, of Arena and Suede Bar, on Concert Square, said: “We felt there was no consideration about busines-ses in this area. We’re very low down the list of priorities. But we wonder about the risk assess-ment if you consider the numbers of people who could pour out of some of the big clubs and bars. We’ve 625 alone in ours.”

Thousands more pack into The Office, Reflex and Krazy House every weekend, meaning a massive potential for problems.

Merseyside Police has been critical of the communication process, and is also concerned about the effects on The Ropewalks area.

A spokesman said: “The work scheduled to take place has the potential to have a large impact on the night-time economy. The impact to pedestrians and move-ment of vehicles, especially emer-gency vehicles, in the area would be of concern to Police.”

However, yesterday’s meeting did much to allay the fears of many.

A letter to all businesses in the area on Friday informed astonished traders and licensees that no deliveries would be possible between April 8 and 30.

But last night United Utilities performed a U-turn.

The busy streets will now be opened after 6pm every day, to allow deliveries.

Few licensees last night felt their businesses were under threat, after being assured that their needs would now be taken into account.

United Utilities also retracted and apologised for their initial threat, and have vowed to work individually with each business to make sure no-one was left out.

Andy Barr, Liverpool City Council traffic manager, said: “This work had to be delivered. The only regret is the way we’ve communicated this.”

richarddown