Anfield's main high street could be set for £4M revamp

A £4 million initiative aimed at revitalising Anfield’s main high street to enhance the experience for both residents and visitors is set to undergo a public consultation phase.

Liverpool City Council will kick off the consultation next week on Wednesday, May 22, with a series of public events aimed at showcasing the proposed upgrades to the main road and connecting streets leading to Liverpool FC’s iconic stadium in Anfield.

This project marks the latest phase in a comprehensive £300 million investment program in the Anfield area, which commenced in 2014. Over the past decade, this initiative has seen the creation of over 600 new homes and the refurbishment of 500 others, the rejuvenation of Stanley Park, the establishment of new shops, environmental street improvements, enhancements to community facilities, and upgrades to the stadium itself.

For the forthcoming High Street scheme, the Council has partnered with AECOM to design a visually appealing and healthier public street scene, with a particular emphasis on improving pedestrian movement and safety.

The primary focus of the project will center on upgrading highways and public spaces along key thoroughfares including Walton Breck Road, Oakfield Road, Pulford Street, Back Rockfield Road, and Gilman Street.

As part of the initial design stage, the current proposals aim to improve walking routes, create wider footpaths, install new landscaping and public realm features, as well provide new trees and new underground bins.

A key proposal is a suggested reduction in speed limit on Walton Breck Road from 30mph to 20mph, between the junctions of Blessington Road, and Kemp Avenue to improve safety for pedestrians.

The highways element will also include new improved carriageways and crossings, as well as providing new on-street and resident parking bays with a focus on rationalising car parking, bus stops and taxi ranks.

And there’s a proposal to close access to Back Rockfield Road from Pulford Street, including a safe area for vehicles to turn around.

The outline designs will be on display at a trio of public drop-in events, at The Liverpool Lighthouse, Oakfield Road, on:

Wednesday 22 May, 10am – 5.30pm
Thursday 23 May, 1pm – 7pm
Wednesday 12 June, 12pm – 5pm

The online consultation also goes live on 22 May and will be open for feedback until Friday, 14 June.

Feedback will help shaped the outline designs and a report to the Council’s cabinet will be submitted in the Autumn with a view to appointing a contractor to begin delivering the scheme next Spring.

Feedback from the public consultation about the future for Anfield Square, and a planned way forward will be publicised in the summer.

Councillor Dan Barrington, Cabinet Member for Transport and Connectivity said:

“The redevelopment of Anfield stadium has understandably received global attention, but the works to improve the surrounding community are more important in many ways.

“Creating a healthier, greener, safer and more visually appealing high street will have a major impact on the day-to-day quality of life of our residents in this community, who have already seen a lot of improvements over the past decade.

“I hope everyone in the neighbourhood gets to visit our public consultation events and gives their feedback. Their views are vital to ensuring this scheme works and delivers long-lasting improvements to living in, working in and visiting Anfield.”

Councillor Nick Small, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth, said:

“Enhancing the public spaces along Oakfield Road and Walton Breck Road is a vital aspect and a longstanding goal of the Anfield regeneration programme.

“Importantly, these proposed improvements to the high street will connect various regeneration projects in the surrounding area.

“This investment will also provide a boost to the existing businesses and those looking to invest and grow here, and there’s more improvements to come once plans for Anfield Square are formalised.”