30 October 2008

£5.4 million funding package for Lime Street Gateway improvement projects

• £2.4 million ERDF funding approved for Lime Street Gateway
• NWDA announces additional £3 million investment for Lime Street improvements

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is pleased to announce that one of the first Merseyside projects to receive an investment from the Northwest European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2007-13 has been approved.

The Lime Street Gateway project is to receive just over £2.4 million ERDF funding. The NWDA is also providing a separate investment of £3 million. Just over £2 million of the NWDA’s funding will be allocated for public realm improvements around the station, with £906,000 going towards the Highways Scheme, involving the demolition of Concourse House and the row of shops that currently mask the main entrance to the station.

As part of the Gateway scheme, the arched gable end of the listed Victorian station building will be revealed, creating an impressive new area of public realm. There will also be improved pedestrian access to and from the station and better links to the city’s cultural quarter.

The Gateway project involves six public sector partners – national regeneration agency English Partnerships, Liverpool Vision, Liverpool City Council, Network Rail, Merseytravel and the Railway Heritage Trust.

Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive of the NWDA, said:

“In order to continue the transformation of Liverpool into a world visitor destination, it is crucial that its key public transport gateways are of international quality.

As Liverpool’s main station and a prime entrance to the city, it is important that Lime Street Station provides a good first impression. Through creating a more attractive environment for passengers, as well as improving accessibility and enhancing surrounding areas, this project will help to further boost the city’s appeal as a visitor and investment destination.”

Ends

For further information please contact Sarah Moston, Press Officer on 01925 400552 or mobile 07980 528471 or sarah.moston@nwda.co.uk

For urgent out of hours press enquiries please call 01925 400259.

For further information and to view previous press releases visit us at www.nwda.co.uk

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is responsible for:
• Supporting business growth and encouraging investment
• Matching skills provision to employer needs
• Creating the conditions for economic growth
• Connecting the region through effective transport and communication infrastructure
• Promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life

Notes to Editors

Additional Quotes:

David Malpass, NWDA Director of European Programme, said:

“I am pleased to announce the first ERDF investment for Merseyside. Through improving a major transport gateway into Liverpool city centre, this project will improve links to key areas of the city, including the commercial district and waterfront, and importantly, it will support plans to develop and grow the city’s knowledge corridor.”

Eliot Lewis-Ward, Area Director for English Partnerships, said:

“We are delighted that ERDF funding and additional investment from the NWDA has been approved. This will ensure the improvements to the Gateway are delivered to support the regeneration of Liverpool city centre, with completion anticipated by December 2009.”

Jim Gill, Chief Executive of Liverpool Vision, said:

“This announcement completes the package of funding needed to transform a long-standing eyesore into an impressive new gateway to the heart of the city.”

Cllr Warren Bradley, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said: “This announcement is very good news. The Lime Street Gateway scheme will provide a much more welcoming image of Liverpool for the increasing number of visitors to the city. It is another key part of the continuing regeneration of the city.”

Lorraine Rogers, Chief Executive of The Mersey Partnership, said:

“The existing gateway is not an attractive place to create first impressions for people arriving in Liverpool and is in urgent need of attention. This project has been eagerly awaited and funding approval marks an important milestone for the scheme that will enhance this part of the city centre.”

• NW ERDF in summary 2007-13
• Total Northwest ERDF is £521m
• Northwest ERDF (excluding Merseyside) is £308m (Within the NWOP, Merseyside has transitional status and a ring-fenced financial allocation to allow the area to adjust gradually).
• Merseyside ring-fenced ‘phasing-in’ ERDF is £212m (for the period 2007-11)
• Taking account of match funding and the current exchange rate, this provides for total funding of £1bn between 2007-13 (double ERDF total).

• The NWOP Priorities and Action Areas

PRIORITY 1 –Stimulating Enterprise and Supporting Growth in Target and Markets PRIORITY 2 –Exploiting Innovation and Knowledge PRIORITY 3 – Creating the Conditions for Sustainable Growth PRIORITY 4 – Growing and Accessing Employment
ACTION AREA 1-1. Developing high value new enterprise ACTION AREA 2-1. Exploiting the science and R&D base of the region ACTION AREA 3-1. Exploiting the economic potential of major gateways in Merseyside  ACTION AREA 4-1. Stimulate enterprise in disadvantaged communities and under-represented groups
ACTION AREA 1-2. Developing higher added-value activity in target regional sectors ACTION AREA 2-2. Encouraging innovation to improve productivity in all companies ACTION AREA 3-2. Developing high quality sites and premises of regional importance ACTION AREA 4-2. Supporting linkages to key employment areas
ACTION AREA 1-3. Increasing sustainable consumption and production  ACTION AREA 3-3. Supporting the improvement of the region’s visitor offer and image ACTION AREA 4-3. Supporting employment creation for areas of regeneration need

• Specific Investment Frameworks (IFs) for each action area will identify the type of activity that could be supported under the programme and the types of organisations that are best placed to deliver these projects. Each Investment Framework will have been developed in consultation with local, sub regional and regional partners and approved by the PMC.