Masterplan - Access Strategy
The City Centre Waterfront is a vital component in the regeneration strategy for the City Centre, Liverpool and Merseyside, and Kings Waterfront will play a vital part in promoting the City as a visitor destination of international quality.
One of the main challenges to the successful development of Kings is access, for both pedestrians and vehicular traffic, as the new arena, conference centre and exhibition complex will accommodate a large number of events – and attract many thousands of visitors – throughout the year.
The planning approval for the scheme, granted in December 2004, included a Traffic Impact Assessment explaining the different modes of transport, routes to and from the site, car and coach parking, and associated traffic management measures needed to ensure that visitors are able to access and exit the site safely and securely.
These arrangements have been the subject of detailed discussion with Liverpool City Council (as highway authority), Merseytravel, Merseyside Police and both commercial and residential interests at Albert Dock. They include an “Events Day Management Strategy” to deal with movement to and from the site when peak numbers of visitors are expected, the separation of coach and car access, and special provision for disabled access and VIPs. A computerised signing system at key gateways to the City Centre, new pedestrian crossings, and junction improvements will also be implemented.
One of the main aims of the development strategy for Kings is to ensure a complementary relationship with adjoining attractions on the waterfront and the City Centre. The location of the arena and convention centre with the public piazza in the foreground is designed to heighten the sense of arrival and enhance the visitor experience. It has the potential to breathe new vitality and commercial life into Albert Dock by attracting visitors through the estate and increasing trade for its many cafes, bars, restaurants and retail outlets.
