ONE of the city’s final events to mark its 800th birthday has taken place, as Liverpool’s original seven streets were officially marked.
Plaques to show the first street plan, built at the behest of King John in 1207 and now forming the heart of today’s business district, have been installed to mark the importance of the roadways.
The original plan of Liverpool was a simple H-shape, consisting of Castle Street, Chapel Street, Dale Street, Bank Street, Juggler Street, Moor Street and Whiteacre Street.
Only the first three are still known by their original names, with Bank Street becoming Water Street, Moor Street becoming Tithebarn, Juggler Street evolved into High Street, and Whiteacre became Old Hall Street.
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The plaques were launched yesterday by Cllr Berni Turner and the three women who have fought for more than two years to mark the historic trail – Barbara Murray, Florence Gersten and Christina Clarke.
However, the campaigners last night criticised Liverpool City Council for placing the plaques too high.
Barbara Murray said: “The whole idea was to let everybody know where the original part of Liverpool was.
“We are very angry to see that the plaques are fixed high up on the wall so that no-one can read the information – and if you can’t read them there’s no point in putting them up.”
However, a council spokesperson said that the plaques were put up as part of and in keeping with the Connecting Liverpool signage already around the city.
He said: “We are surprised at this criticism from the people involved, but they were shown the design and location and we are sorry they are disappointed.”
Patrick Neill, of Friends of Liverpool Monuments, which supported the efforts to have the streets marked, said: “I’m very pleased they’re up. The ladies have been campaigning for over three years to get something done to celebrate the city’s 800th birthday, so I am made up it’s been done eventually.”
The Friends of Liverpool Monuments have set up a website at
www.liverpools7streets.co.uk for people to find out more about the historic project.
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