Eastern Gateway - Edge Lane
Edge Lane - one of the main gateway routes into the city centre - is undergoing a £65m improvement scheme which will transform the route from the M62 to the city centre by road widening to remove bottlenecks and create an environment that demonstrates the aspirations and status of Liverpool as a major European city.
It is a key component in developing the Eastern Gateway Strategic Investment Area as a vibrant and dynamic area to exploit huge employment growth potential. The project is also key to Liverpool Vision's aspirations for the regeneration of the city centre.
The comprehensive regeneration scheme, which is being led by Liverpool Vision on behalf of the partners in the project, includes highway improvements, as well as the provision of over 550 new housing units, over 1,000,000 square feet of new and refurbished commercial and retail floorspace and community facilities.
The Edge Lane Project, which also involves making the whole length of Edge Lane a dual carriageway will also reduce congestion, create and safeguard 1900 jobs, improve local services and enhance the local environment by planting over 100 new trees. The new urban boulevard will also create a modern gateway to Liverpool, whilst maintaining the architectural heritage of the area.
The first two sections are now complete. Edge Lane Central and Edge Lane Drive (the existing dual carriageway sections of Edge Lane to the east of Edge Lane West as far as M62) were completed during 2007/8. These provide access to new retail, housing, leisure, business and light industrial sites, including a new entrance junction for the £50million Liverpool Innovation Park (an extension of the existing Wavertree Technology Park).
The final phase, Edge Lane West (from Botanic Road to Hall Lane) will include:
- around 280 new homes
- new and improved retail facilities
- new employment floorspace
- a new state-of-the-art health centre
- a new access and much improved setting for Kensington Primary School and the Life Bank
- changing the line of the road to make it an urban boulevard
- safe pedestrian crossing points
- a much safer and improved environment for pedestrians and motorists.
The scheme had, until recently, been delayed by objections to the Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO) on 371 properties acquired by the Homes and Communities Agency (previously known as English Partnerships) in October 2008. Following a High Court hearing at the end of March 2009, the challenge to the confirmed CPO was dismissed. This will allow work on the scheme to progress.
The partners, which includes Liverpool City Council, Liverpool Vision, Homes & Communities Agency, the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), Kensington Regeneration, Community 7 Housing Association, New Heartlands Pathfinder, Government Office for the North West, Department of Transport, and the private sector are now developing a programme of activity to deliver the regeneration of the area.
More information
Find out more on www.edgelane.com