THE finishing touches are being put to the Liverpool canal link which will breathe new life into Liverpool’s historic waterfront.

A series of 22 new floating pontoons coming in three different sizes at Salthouse Dock will moor up to 44 boats when the link up opens this spring.

The finger-shaped pontoons cost £120,000 and come with water and electricity supplies.

The new moorings are an important component in the overhaul of the South Docks, say developers. They hope the moorings will attract hordes of boaters who, for the first time in over a century, will be able to navigate the 127-mile Leeds and Liverpool Canal from the heart of the city.

The influx, it is hoped, will echo a time when the city’s docks were a shipping hub for inland waterways freight.

Steven Broomhead, chief executive of the North West Development Agency (NWDA) who helped fund the pontoons, expects an economic boost.

He said: “Liverpool’s new canal link is another step forward in the transformation of the city’s waterfront, which has witnessed unprecedented levels of investment in recent years.

“The NWDA recognised the economic potential of this project, which is why we committed significant investment to ensure the delivery of the scheme, as well as providing funding for Waterfront Connections to support public realm and other works to enhance attractions at the waterfront.

“The installation of the Salthouse Dock pontoons is further evidence of the scheme really taking shape.”

The latest addition comes after granite cladding was installed reaching from the pavement down to water level.

Steve Higham, external funding officer for British Waterways said: “Developing high quality pontoons in the South Docks has been an important aim of British Waterways since we took ownership of the waterspace in 2003.

“The pontoons will provide key services for boaters to enjoy their stay in the heart of the Liverpool Waterfront at the end of their journey along the newly-created Liverpool Canal Link.”

The pontoons were designed and installed by specialist contractor Intermarine.

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