FUNDING SECURED FOR REGENERATION OF OTTERSPOOL PROMENADE
Publish Date: 10.07.2006
Work on a major facelift for Otterspool Promenade in
South Liverpool is due to start on site in August, after
securing ?1.4million through the Mersey Waterfront
Programme - which is supported through the Northwest
Regional Development Agency (NWD
The work will focus on approximately 1.9km of coastline,
stretching from Jericho Lane to Beechdale Road, close to
the 1984 Garden Festival site. It will also complement
£1m plans currently being developed by Mersey
Waterfront to renew key parts of the 3.5km stretch
between Seacombe and New Brighton.
The Otterspool project will be the pilot for Mersey
Waterfront's Pride In Our Promenades programme. The
package of improvements will include replacing railings
and installing better seating, bins and signposting.
There will also be a landscaped area to encourage
organised events such as kite-flying and open-air theatre,
as well as a more attractive entrance from Jericho Lane
and a play area suitable for different age groups.
Mersey Waterfront's use of the pioneering Peoples
Panel's has given local residents a significant role in
shaping the plans for Otterspool. This technique of
deciding how public money should be used is based on
the US model of Citizens Juries and has, so far, been
little-used in this country. The Liverpool Peoples Panel
was made up of a diverse group of residents who met
several times and came up with a series of ideas,
following training from independent consultants.
Time and time again residents along Mersey Waterfront
have told us they want better basic facilities including
seating, landscaping and signposting - and that's
what’ll they’ll be getting at Otterspool,??? said
Sara Wilde, Chair of Mersey Waterfront. The Prom is
already well-used, but it hasn’t received the
investment it needs to fulfil its potential. By improving its
appearance and accessibility, we can make the most of
the leisure and tourism opportunities the area offers.???
Paul Lakin, NWDA Head of Development, said: “The
NWDA is delighted to support the development of the
Mersey Waterfront, which is an important tourism asset
and a key priority for the Agency. The improvements to
Otterspool Promenade will help breathe new life into the
area, enhancing its tourism offer as well as projecting a
positive image for potential investors.???
Liverpool city council's executive member for Environment
and Heritage, Councillor Berni Turner, added: "Otterspool
Park and Promenade is a hugely important part of our
waterfront, a superb green waterside resource offering,
arguably, the best view of the upper estuary. The
improvements mean a huge boost for the area and will
bring in thousands of visitors to the park. This project
will also help us achieve our aim of bringing the park and
promenade up to Green Flag status by 2008."
Design work has been carried out by consultants TEP (The
Environment Partnership), and the improvements are
expected to last approximately 9 months, finishing in
Spring 2007
Members of the public will be able to view the full plans
at The Theatre In The Park event, being held at
Otterspool Park on Saturday 15 & Sunday 16 July. There
will also be opportunities to sign up for future Peoples
Panels, as well as the newly-established Friends of
Otterspool group.
