Pier Head Area

**Waterways** · 11-10-2008

Originally Posted by Liverpolitan

I know some people like narrow boats, but I don't want to see them in the middle of the Pier Head.

Most of the Central Docks have been turned to glorified ponds to "accommodate canal boats". There is no facility to berth deep water ships as the docks were filled in to pond depths to make money for British Waterways Dumping waste is lucrative. Of course canal boats have been a part of the dock system, and should remain so, however very peripheral to deep water vessels, which have been eliminated.

UNESCO stated that Liverpool has historic docks, but no historic ships. Well in a city that ocean going ships can berth at the city centre (few cities have that) there are few places to berth historic ships, unless it is a historic canal boat.

The city allowed this rape of the city's heritage - we are a deep water port, not a canal basin.

**kevin** · 11-10-2008

Originally Posted by Paddy

I sometimes spent the night drinking coffee from the hatch there was always two big burly guys who run it. I would then catch the first bus. You would always meet old characters from around the town and we would jangle on the benches.

Me too, Paddy.
If I was clubbing in town late it was easier to got to the Pier Head and have a cuppa waiting for the first bus to Rice Lane, Walton, were I worked in the 60s and early 70s. I could have a kip on a bench at work for a few hours, until it was time to clock on. Easier than going home to Allerton then having to travel to Walton.

**quincyg** · 11-10-2008

great pics Joe and Liverpolitan

Nice to see Johnny back too.

Will have to give it the once over when I go into town.

**johnmed** · 11-10-2008

Went down last week, having seen the pics above and took a few pics myself. Here's a few of mine:

(Gave me a chance to get used to my new camera)

John

**Liverpolitan** · 11-10-2008

Originally Posted by julieoapw

"I don't mind some of the war memorials there (although there are rather a lot.....I hope they don't keep adding new ones)." Quote.

Today of all days you might like to reflect why there are so many war memorials there.

Precisely! It's the best time to reflect on why they are there, and also on how well kept they are, and whether we want any more there!

There has been a slow accretion over the years, and whilst each is perfectly valid in its own terms, I feel enough is enough, and there should not be any more at least in that place, or else they will detract from the others and make the place look cluttered.

Do you know what is happening with the memorial that bears a plaque to the Belgium merchant seamen? I don't remember what it looked like before, but it now looks extremely scruffy, as though there are bits missing from the top of it. I think it should either be made good, or the plaque moved somewhere more dignified. There is nothing worse than a memorial that is not maintained properly or visited, they look terribly sad. We have a war memorial near where I live that is entirely cut off by a traffic island, and you might as well demolish it because no-one can (safely) approach it to see the names or read the inscription.

Hopefully, once the Pier Head is back in operation, people will use it for commemorations again.

**Kev** · 11-10-2008

Thanks for all the pics and messages peeps. They are fab

**Kev** · 01-10-2009

THE blue wraps have come off one of Liverpool?s most historic commercial buildings in time for a glitzy send off to the Capital of Culture year tonight.

Downing, the city?s largest private commercial landlord, has completed the ?10m restoration of the Grade II* Listed Port of Liverpool Building and is on target to bring more than 20,000 sq ft of newly-refurbished office suites to the market during 2009. more

**gregs dad** · 02-09-2009

area in front of the Liver Building looks great for roller skates and skateboards

**Norm NZ** · 02-09-2009

"Great Pics Everyone"!! My thanks to you all, your pics allow me to keep in touch with my old home city, and I very much appreciate all that you do. TA! and Cheers to All