From major road upgrades to ambitious regeneration projects, Liverpool and the wider city region are seeing significant developments. Our round-up covers key schemes, community reactions, and planning progress.
Liverpool City Council has announced a series of major developments aimed at improving infrastructure and public services throughout the region. Among the most notable projects is a £1.8 million upgrade for Queens Drive, a key road currently undergoing improvements to address long-standing traffic and safety concerns. This project, which includes enhancements to carriage, walkways, and drainage systems, follows public criticism regarding the management of flooding in the area. Work is expected to commence in March.
Beyond road improvements, the future of the local transit network is currently under review. Liverpool City Council has backed a Green Party motion advocating for the regional rail network to return to public ownership once the current contract with Serco and Transport UK expires in 2028. Supporters of the move point to the significant dividend payments made by the network since 2003, arguing that these funds could be better utilized to improve services, increase accessibility, and reduce fares. Meanwhile, Merseyrail is set to be rebranded as 'Transport for Liverpool City Region' as part of an effort to better integrate rail, bus, ferry, and tunnel services.
In Southport, Sefton Council is advancing a £73 million Marine Lake Events Centre project, which is set to become one of the most significant regeneration initiatives in the area. Although the project faced delays after previous contractors withdrew, a new contractor, Vinci Construction, has been selected to help finalize the plans. The centre is expected to create jobs, attract visitors, and provide a world-class space for events, with civil engineering work slated to begin in February.
Additionally, the city's main hospital is undergoing a major redevelopment in its third phase. The plans for the site include the construction of two new-way entrances and improved landscaping to support local wildlife. These changes are intended to improve connectivity and access while reducing congestion around the hospital.
Finally, the council is seeking public feedback on a proposed 27-hectare solar farm near Thurstaston on the Wirral. While the developer emphasizes the environmental benefits of the project—projected to generate enough energy to power 7,000 homes and offset 12,000 tons of carbon annually—the plan has encountered opposition from local residents. More than 3,300 people have signed a petition against the proposal, citing concerns about its potential impact. Wirral Council requires detailed environmental assessments, including surveys of protected bird species, before any planning application can proceed.
