IT HAS been a building site for more than a year and a massive engineering project. But come next spring, work on a multi-million pound revamp of Liverpool’s Pier Head to create a new canal link will have transformed the area into a visitor destination of international quality.

It also means canal boats will be able to navigate the 127-mile Leeds-Liverpool canal straight into the heart of the Albert Dock system for the first time in more than a century.

The engineering work, costing £5.4m, will see the new canal route created through the central docks section to the north of the Pier Head as part of the £20m Liverpool Canal Link.

The final appearance of the canal link is now clearly visible, with the tunnel which will take the Leeds-Liverpool canal from Princes Dock to the Pier Head already complete.

The tunnel will be clad in high-quality granite, imported from China, for the final effect.

Balfour Beatty is one of three civil engineering firms working on the project for British Waterways and Liverpool council.

The section of the canal link being worked on by the civil engineering firm runs directly in front of the Three Graces.

Matthew Storr, project manager for Balfour Beatty, said: “When work is complete by next spring, the Leeds-Liverpool canal will go right up to Canning Dock, with the centrepiece being the Pier Head area.

“The scheme consists of upgrading public realm space in high quality granite paving and walls, to create an open space where people can sit and look at the river.

“There will also be high-grade street lighting, with a central lawn area, and 19 new trees. The statues of Edward VII and Sir Alfred Lewis have also been moved and refurbished.

“When it’s open, the canal will be two open basins so people can see the canal boats going through the tunnels and out into these two open basins, one in front of the Liver Building and the other in front of the Port of Liverpool building.”

Contractors moved on to the site in March last year, with the canal link due to be ready to use by narrowboats in spring 2009.

Mr Storr added: “Working in the city centre is never easy for a heavy civil engineering job. The finish to the canal and to the public realm is very high quality, with high-spec granite being imported from China.

“Getting the quality of the finish has been the real challenge on this scheme. But when it is finished, it will improve the open space for the general public in and around the riverfront, creating a width of space to enjoy the river and the canal. It will generate tourists and income revenue for the businesses in and around the area, with facilities for canal boats.”

alanweston