ITS two gangly trees will be chopped down for something a little more seemly. Those sheer, precarious steps will be remodelled to mimic those found in Liverpool One. And never mind the bollards, they will disappear too.
The pedestrianised shopping areas of Parker Street, Elliot Street and Houghton Street are to get a £3m spruce up, underfoot and all around.
“The tired and dated area” will see the streets repaved, not exactly with gold, but with the same materials used on Church Street. Don't even think about dropping your chewy on it.
Remodelled steps, and behind? We knew they wanted to demolish Lime Street but this is going too far!Liverpool City Council says the makeover will give the city centre a uniform appearance: “Not only will improve the quality of the materials used to pave the streets but will improve its landscape and make it a more attractive route”.
Arguably it was more attractive before it was pedestrianised, when one of the city's last squares, Clayton Square, rattled and hummed with bus stops and bright lights. But that's not in the script and what's done is done.
Before pedestrianisation and the demolition of Clayton Square (right) took away the area's testosteroneThe council is managing the scheme in conjunction with Mott MacDonald and BCA Landscape and work, which will begin in 2016, will also include “removing clutter by reducing the amount of street furniture and replacing large trees with ones more suited to a pedestrian environment.”
The new trees will also be sited in way to direct pedestrian movements and allow delivery vehicles access to shops, it says here. So no having to dodge random starling droppings from above when you are eyeing that George dressing gown hanging on a stall. In fact no stalls in these pictures at all!
The steps which link Elliot Street to Great Charlotte Street are to be redesigned to make them less steep and include ‘double height’ steps for seating.
The work, says the council, will complement the St John’s Market refurbishment which will include a newly improved entrance to the market from Elliot Street.
The improvements will make the area 'more uniform', but where does one park one's bikeCouncillor Malcolm Kennedy, cabinet member for regeneration and transport, said;” This is an important part of the city centre. It is heavily used not only by shoppers but is a key link between Lime Street and Central stations.
“It is an area which is looking tired and dated and badly needs improving. What is being planned will transform the quality of the street scene and make it a much more attractive location for shoppers and visitors.”
The trees will be felled in January with the main work starting in February and is expected to last about six months.
Funding for the scheme has been provided through the Local Growth Fund’s STEP (sustainable transport enhancement package) programme.
Not what's wanted:: The Parker Street trees. Pic John Bradley 
