Liverpool Waterfront

Liverpools Waterfront has been transformed in the last 10 years. The Canal & River Trust has played it part in the regeneration of Liverpool's Waterfront through the delivery of the Liverpool Canal Link, a new canal which runs through the waterfront, this new canal is now the centrepiece for the Pier Head and the new public realm has established the Waterfront as Liverpools key tourist destination.

The Canal & River Trust (formerly British Waterways) worked with Liverpool City Council and Liverpool Vision on this ambitious scheme to connect the South Docks, which includes the world famous Albert Dock, to the inland waterway network. The route of the canal passes through three conservation areas and affects the setting of a number of listed buildings, including the three Graces. The design respects the character of the individual areas and protects the key elements within them, including important views and vistas.

This transformational place making project has been designed with the advice of experts from the City Council and The Maritime Museum together with British Waterways consultants.

The alignment of the canal across the Pier Head piazza has been designed to maintain the strong linear relationship between the Three Graces and the River Mersey, and reflect the setting of the conservation areas and listed buildings.

This project supports the continuing regeneration aims of partner organisations for the Liverpool waterfront and Central Docks. The Link allows navigation for canal craft throughout the Liverpool waterfront and animates the waterspace in the South Docks with new activity and boating. Other benefits include:

• An estimated 200,000 extra visitors annually to the Liverpool waterfront, spending an extra £1.9million each year.
• Over 4,500 boat movements each year including visiting private, holiday hire, trip and restaurant boats.
• An estimated £2.2million in expenditure annually on boating related activities.
• 187 person years of temporary construction related employment.
• 173 net additional local jobs.
• An estimated £3.3million per annum in net additional gross value added to the local economy.
• An increase in property prices in the immediate canal link area and wider corridor.
• Wider socio-economic impacts such as an improved city image, added interest to the Mersey River Festival, increased access to heritage and interpretation, and increased recreation and amenity resources for the area.