More cranes will appear on the skyline during 2006 as the city’s preparations for Capital of Culture move up a gear. City leaders are predicting one of the most exciting years in decades as a number of long-awaited projects come to fruition. But question marks still remain over some key schemes. Among the biggest city centre developments this year will be:

*Continued work on Grosvenor’s Liverpool One shopping district, including the opening of new headquarters for Radio Merseyside and Herbert’s hairdressers.
*The first visible signs of construction on the Kings Dock arena.
*A stepping-up of work on Liverpool’s new Commercial Quarter at St Paul’s Square, off Old Hall Street.
*The opening of the Met Quarter shopping centre in Whitechapel.
*Transformation of Concourse Tower as the makeover of Lime Street station begins.
*Start of work on the cruise liner berth and canal extension at the Pier Head.
*The much-criticised city centre roadworks programme will shift to the Strand, and the transformation of Edge Lane should begin. more