MERSEYRAIL PROTEST FOR NEW LINES!!

[Waterways]

Brunswick was called in - effectively taking the decision awa from council.

It was not called in. The council rejected it and Maro appealed. It then went to Whitehall.

See, all is there:
Brunswick Quay Rejection

In truth, the scheme did little for the area and demonstrated an almost wilful determination to stand alone. The architecture was moribund and lacked any reference to its location - like all Simpson's designs it could have been anywhere (and indeed it turned up later, slightly revised on the South Bank).

You are totally wrong.

The government's own chief architect (planning inspector) was complimentary and recommended acceptance. He said the location was ideal being in a bend on the river and at the end of an escarpment. He said:
"The proposals would be of the highest quality in design terms and would contribute to the skyline of Liverpool without having a damaging effect on the setting of heritage assets. They would also have a beneficial impact on the character, appearance and interest of the immediate locality."

"Application 05F/1009 – Scheme B - was refused by the Planning Committee on 23 August 2005 for the following reasons:"
...
...


He recommended:
"I recommend that the appeal in relation to scheme A be dismissed and that the appeal in relation to scheme B be allowed subject to the conditions in Appendix B."

Scheme B was the rejected Tower.

CABE too gave approval.

The scheme was world-class and would have projected the city forwards with a a big leap. the surrounding area would have benefitted greatly. If initially accepted it would have been built by now.

Turning the scheme down was an act of foolishness.

See/ Around post No. 60:
Brunswick Quay

[Waterways]

So simple! If only we'd realised that before!. Now where is that magic wand...?

Many have realised that from the start - as soon as the Albert Dock was being renovated.

[petromax]

...You are totally wrong...

I have read both Ruth Kelly's report and the planning brief to Maro's new Architects which echoes what I have said. I happen to agree with both and I have seen Studio Egret West's first schemes.

I also believe that the new scheme is leaps and bounds beyond Simpson's scheme which is a copy of a scheme by a French Architect by the name of Perrault who was inspired by the statues on Christmas Island - a long way from relevance to Liverpool or Toxteth or any kind of empathy with the spirit of the place. Simpson doesn't understand this or, as far as I can see, any other city. He produces anonymous and placeless design. His Brunswick Tower was crass and characterless and downright offensive to the surrounding cityscape and hte docks.

I do like towers per se and I look forward to when the city has a a greater skyline but I don't think we shouldn't accept rubbish just because someone wants to build in Liverpool (vide Halifax Building on Strand Street)

Be happy the city will now get the good architecture it warrants.

[HollyBlack]

... The only way to merge the two areas is get rid of the Dock Rd at that point. I wonder what their wondrous solution is? Those silly pedestrian crossings! Duh!

Actually in other places they would build a road underpass to make life easy for pedestrians. That is to say the North-South road dips down 15 feet or so and the East-West road is just slightly elevated (perhaps a foot or two just for good drainage) and passes over the top.

The East-West road (buses only?) has no junction there and has WIDE footways both sides of it.

[Waterways]

I have read both Ruth Kelly's report and the planning brief to Maro's new Architects which echoes what I have said. I happen to agree with both and I have seen Studio Egret West's first schemes.

We will have to agree to disagree. The Brunswick Quay Tower was world class and iconic, even the government's top man said so.

Studio Egret West's setups looks appalling. More bland stumps that block views. Tall buildings do not, as there are large gaps at ground level between.

Ruth Kelly is a fool.

[snappel]

People should spend less time in front of VDU's and more time walking...

[Waterways]

People should spend less time in front of VDU's and more time walking...

Yep. A walk around Brunswick Dock and surrounds reveals a lot.

[oritelad]

the big news at the moment is Merseytram again now they want over 300 million after the millions they have already spent on planning for this daft scheme and this is just for ONE line! can u imagine all the road constructions too there will by mayhem in roads for years because lets face it they will take years to do it if it does get started like everything else in Liverpool.

why does no one listen to us the people of Liverpool and what we want we don't want trams back we had them once and we got rid we don't need them what we do need it bloody money from Merseyrail to open more stations and lines but no matter how hard i try contacting mps heads of Mereseyrail ect noone listens i just wish more people like me would hassle them

if you look at one of the plans below i have proposed tell me what you think

[robt]

My initial thought is that it is doubling the journey time from Kirby to Liverpool, driving people off trains alltogether?

[oritelad]

i thought people may think that but you could get the train to bootle station and catch the kirkby train there if you was in a hurry and vice versa

[robt]

i thought people may think that but you could get the train to bootle station and catch the kirkby train there if you was in a hurry and vice versa

So not only are you inconvienienced by having to change trains, but it might be no quicker if you have to wait there for 10 minutes anyway

[MerseysideTransportTrust]

I think you'd get more people back on the trains if Merseyrail stopped using those awful Class 142's on the City Line. Who on earth thought a 2-axle carriage without bogies would lend itself to a comfortable journey?

They are actually 1970s Leyland national buses on rail underframe!

Rob

[gregs dad]

Old entrance to James St Station in Water St being used more frequently
now as they modernise James St entrance

[PhilipG]

The crowds at rush hour are getting smaller,
and younger!

Just inside the entrance is well worth snapping.

[Broliv]

Nice pics Phil and greg's dad! Thanks for posting them