LIVERPOOL’S world-famous Pier Head, centrepiece of the city’s World Heritage Site, is to be closed to the public for more than 15 months.
So much work is to be carried out, officials decided to turn it into a huge building site until the spring of 2008.
The riverfront, with its famous Three Graces, is one of the most photographed in the country, but is currently being surrounded by a seven-foot high fence.
It will mean that within days the Pier Head riverfront will be out of bounds to the public for the rest of Liverpool’s 800th birthday year, and until well into 2008 when the city celebrates being European Capital of Culture.Last night, Liverpool Labour leader Cllr Joe Anderson said: “This couldn’t happen at a worse time when we are parading ourselves on the world stage.
“We are into two of the most important years ever for the city, and we slam shut what is our front door. I know the work has to be done, but to do it now is a disaster. I blame inertia within the council and the fight between (former leader and chief executive) Mike Storey and Sir David Henshaw.
“It is as though somebody pressed a pause button on the city’s progress and now we are paying a heavy price for all of that squabbling and the bickering. Officials saying it will transform the city in the coming years does not cut any ice with me.
“ Even in 1207 AD, they would have known that in 2007 we would be 800 years old. It is not as though this has crept up on us.”
Ann Meek, tour manager with Maghull Coaches, who operate an open-top tourist bus service round Liverpool’s attractions said: “This will be such a shame. The Pier Head is the most popular stop along the route. People who are not interested in The Beatles or football will have seen pictures of the Pier Head. It is internationally recognised and a business stopping point for people wanting to take their own pictures. We will have to work our way around this.”
British Waterways will be constructing a canal link across the Pier Head, but there will also be extensive public realm work and the construction of a new marshalling area for cars waiting for the Isle of Man ferries.
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