, classic Thanks DaveOriginally Posted by Max
Next stage in history of ferries starts taking shape
May 12 2006
Gill Critchley - and plenty of onlookers - witness the temporary landing stage arriving at Liverpool's Pier Head
Daily Post
THEY are known the world over - thanks partly to Gerry and the Pacemakers - and are one of Liverpool's top tourist attractions.
But since a freak storm earlier this year caused havoc to timetables, ferries across the Mersey have suddenly become a lot less popular.
Transport bosses on Merseyside believe passenger numbers are down a third as a result of the storm, which caused the landing stage on Liverpool's waterfront to sink.
So the arrival yesterday of a replacement pontoon comes as a welcome relief for ferry officials.
More...
Correction Max. The man on the bike is an inconsiderate idiot.Originally Posted by Max
Rumour has it that he's risking a £500 fine! (Oh yeah?... I'll believe it when I see it).
Ermine tastes much the same as sackcloth when there's nothing left to eat.
For over 850 years the Mersey Ferries have provided a transport link from the Wirral over the River Mersey to Liverpool.
History
Haha.Originally Posted by A.D.Williams
He's naughtyas well so Max didn't need corrected.Correction Max. The man on the bike is an inconsiderate idiot.
Rumour has it that he's risking a £500 fine! (Oh yeah?... I'll believe it when I see it).
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Gididi Gididi Goo.
THE operation to remove the eyesore Pier Head landing stage is finally set to begin - five months after it sank.
The sight of the semi-submerged structure still sprawled across the waterfront has dismayed tourists and Liverpool councillors.
The pontoon broke into pieces in March when freak tides strained the booms and shattered the 40-year-old stage.
Today, the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company, which owns the pontoon, said specialist engineers were due to begin work in August.
The operation could take up to 10 weeks.
Labour leader Cllr Joe Anderson has called the delay unacceptable and says the Pier Head has been left with an eyesore.
"I'd like to know why it's taken so long to sort out as the sinking happened in March and it now looks a mess.
"The waterfront is one of Liverpool's main attractions and its a sour sight for visitors when they go down to the river."
One man was astonished to see parts of the landing stage poking out of the water and resting on the stone wall of the Pier Head as he went on a cruise from Liverpool to Llandudno this month.
He said: "What a first impression to our esteemed and welcome visitors. This city seems so adept at shooting itself in the foot."
The Mersey Docks and Harbour Company says negotiations with contractors to remove the rest of the landing stage have been ongoing.
A spokesman said: "We have to ensure the right methods are in place for safety reason.
"It's a complex procedure and there a number of engineering challenges."
Along with the half-attached landing stage, the debris which broke off into the Mersey is held in position by wires and is expected to be removed soon.
A 200ft temporary pontoon has been hired from Holland until a permanent replacement is built next to the Isle of Man Steam Packet stage.
luketraynor@liverpoolecho.co.uk
Mammoet the company contracted, by Peel Ports, to lift the sunken George's Landing Stage have abandoned the attempt. The contractor will report to Peel with suggestions on how to remove the debris.
I wonder why, instead of reporting as to how difficult the job is, they don't just impliment their own suggestions?
Any delay could/would see a number of cruise ship visits, planned for the 2007 season, cancelled.
Taken yest'y on a cold, wet and dull sunday morning.
Here's one for Dave, as I know he loves HDR...
I'm surprised they haven't tidied it up yet. That big monster floating crane was there a few weeks back but didn't seem to do much.
It's pretty pathetic that they leave the sunken landing stage like that for months! Waterways might be able to confirm but as far as I know the original landing stage that I knew in the Fifties and Sixties never sank and it's only been the possibly less-well built new landing stage that has had this problem.
Chris
Christopher T. George
Editor, Ripperologist
Editor, Loch Raven Review
http://christophertgeorge.blogspot.com/
Chris on Flickr and on MySpace
I took this last November, was a horrible day but really does suit the scene
Good photo, Smurf. Thanks. I presume the powers that be are going to get this thing cleaned up shortly ahead all the tourists who are going to arrive for the big year?????
Chris
Christopher T. George
Editor, Ripperologist
Editor, Loch Raven Review
http://christophertgeorge.blogspot.com/
Chris on Flickr and on MySpace
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