A new campaign to save Liverpool city centre’s fly-over and give it a massive make-over has been launched.
The Churchill Way flyover consists of two structures which run from Islington around the back of the Central Library and the World Museum along to Dale Street and Tithebarn Street.
The 2012 Strategic Investment Framework (SIF) has laid out plans for the removal of the flyover costing roughly £3-4 million, but campaigners, ‘Friends of the Flyover’, would like to see it transformed.
The ‘promenade in the sky’ is a plan to turn the road into a cyclist and pedestrian-friendly route, with cafes, kiosks, allotments and even bee hives to create honey. There are also ambitious plans to build a ‘theatre in the round’, including space for artists’ studios as well as start-up units for small businesses.
In a statement, the group said: “It will create an attraction that offers ‘dwell’ time around the Museum Quarter, which is currently surrounded on most sides by areas that are not attractive or considered that safe for pedestrians.
“The space will offer the potential for animation activities such as theatre, music, art, cafes, allotments, trim trails, cycle paths etc, and in the same way that New York’s High Line has become a visitor attraction in its own right. This new urban park will bring a much need return on investment into the city.”
The campaign already has support on Twitter and Facebook, and Councillor Nick Small, Cabinet Member for Employment and Skills, tweeted: “Interesting ideas from @FlyoverLPL about the eyesore that is Churchill Way flyover – look forward to meeting group.”
The project is in its early stages and will first have to go to the consultation stage before detailed design proposals are drawn up and the group begin fundraising.