A replica of a monument which once stood at the Liverpool entrance to the Queensway Tunnel is seeking city council approval.
In 1934, an obelisk created by Herbert James Rowse was placed to mark the start of the Liverpool side of the tunnels connecting the city with the Wirral. A second one was positioned in Birkenhead at the Wirral entrance, but its sister monument on Liverpool's Old Haymarket no longer exists.
Plans put forward by Merseytravel seek to reinstate the statue, as well as relocating two green toll booths from George’s Dock Building Plaza. A report submitted to Liverpool Council said: “The hard landscaping around the Mersey Tunnel entrance is dominated by highway engineering works carried out over the last 50+ years and has resulted in a poor visual appearance.
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“The proposed works seek to address this, by introducing a structure that previously formed part of an ensemble with the grade II listed Mersey Tunnel entrance, and by improving the general appearance and appreciation of the space. The works collectively, including the return of the toll booths, would improve the general appearance of the area whilst paying a respectful nod to the original design of the Mersey tunnel entrance.”
The assessment by council officers said although the proposed column would become a prominent landmark in the street scene, it has been “carefully sited to provide a wayfinder while respecting the important local views within the area, including views along William Brown Street and towards the grade I listed St George's Hall would remain unaffected.” The plans have been supported by city centre ward members Cllrs Nick Small and Christine Banks.
Cllr Small said the pair had been working with Merseytravel to secure improvements around Old Haymarket and were “delighted” the application had gone in to install the replica statue. Liverpool Council planning officials have indicated they feel it is an appropriate development and should be given approval when the committee meets at the Town Hall next Tuesday.
Additional street furniture would be put in place, alongside updates to the pavement and nearby car park, according to planning documents. Relocation of the toll booths from their siting on George’s Dock was approved by the city council in December.
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