Monday’s test event at Bramley-Moore has, apart from the first experience of seeing the stadium, being inside it and watching a game of football, started the debate on the travel plans for supporters, infrastructure plans for the future and the initial responses from leading local politicians.
One of the purposes of test events is, of course, to test the reality of real experiences, what the planners and politicians thought was necessary, and kick start a process that makes good any shortfalls or failings in short-term and in terms of longer, more strategic planning.
Reality check
Whatever planning assumptions have been made, whatever investment has occurred so far and by whom, whatever is currently planned for the future, the fact is (from my perspective, at least) that all of the above is totally inadequate.
The question is, how can we best move forward, solve as many of the immediate problems in time for the start of the 25/26 season, create and agree viable medium term solutions and for us all to do what is necessary to make Bramley-Moore the cornerstone, the keystone, of the regeneration of the north of Liverpool and beyond?
What is clear, is that point scoring, the placing of blame on past decisions, political games, and a failure to recognise the big picture here has no place, from this point forwards. If we are going to fulfil the potential of our club, the stadium and perhaps most importantly of all improve not only the match going experiences of fans but drive the economic regeneration of North Liverpool, then we must unite, put differences aside and work towards a common goal.
Historically, Liverpool (and on the Wirral) docks have driven the enormous wealth creation that made Liverpool one of the most important cities outside of London. Even within many of our life-times, Liverpool was a major economic as well as cultural and sporting centre. Whilst it is unlikely Bramley-Moore can have such a profound effect, it will accelerate economic development once more and certainly help from a sporting perspective.
Leadership required
However we need leadership and to put differences to one side. We cannot continue the tired cliche driven politics of the past, nor, in the case of Everton specifically, can we fail to grab this opportunity and lead, not only as custodians of fan interests, but the wider interests of the city. We can truly live up to being the senior club in the city.
With leadership we must look forward and not just to the past. That includes proportioning blame. Today, on BBC Radio Merseyside, Steve Rotheram debated with Councillor Carl Cashman, leader of the Liberal Democrats in Liverpool, their responses to the understandable concerns re transport plans.
I’ve included both the transcript and audio recordings of the interview below.
Metro Mayor Rotheram & Councillor Cashman BBCRM Interview (transcript)
I cite this interview, not to apportion blame, but to make the point, what we are talking about here has far greater significance than this interview gives credit for.
The travel situation absolutely impacts football fans, in particular Everton Fans. It will impact the match going experience of fans. See below the letter sent by the fans forum:
It may at the margin, effect the commercial attractiveness of Bramley Moore. That has implications for our new owners, our football club and the wider regeneration. It could be the butterfly effect in reverse.
That in turn affects the catalyst effect of Bramley-Moore on the regeneration of North Liverpool.
I’m not a politician, nor (any longer) a resident of Liverpool. Yet, I’ve talked to many politicians, including Steve Rotheram about the good Bramley-Moore can do for Liverpool. I’ve witnessed in London, my UK base, the massive regenerative effects transport infrastructure can have. I’ve spoken to London based and national politicians about how the use of appropriate bodies, sometimes newly constructed, can have on urban regeneration. Look at the examples of Mayoral Development Corporations in London and Manchester – yes, Manchester, 30 miles down the road. They plan more of these structures to attract capital and to ease development, creating employment and higher living standards.
The UK government has a growth agenda – not only should we be part of that but we (the city of Liverpool) should be leading it
We, ( a rather large collective we) can achieve this in Liverpool and within the combined authorities. Current politicians, Everton Football Club and other private sector entities can combined with the right structures accessing public funding create all that is dreamed of, and was dreamed of when Bramley-Moore was first thought of, over seven years ago.
Liverpool and the people of Liverpool
We are a unique city, the people of Liverpool with the greatest of respect elsewhere, we are unique. The people of Liverpool have incredible qualities, it’s time we remembered that and used it collectively.
The importance of football in our city is unsurpassed anywhere else. Everton and Liverpool FC are both contributors to that. Everton are the senior club in the city – we’ve built three grounds and developed the game so much more than that, despite all the odds.
It’s time we, Everton Football Club and the city of Liverpool unite and build on the past, on the present (Bramley-Moore) and create a new future.
We can do it – we need leadership, vision and the ability to resource our ambitions. Bramley-Moore is the start of that – lets not miss this opportunity – demand more from the club, from the local politicians, the private sector and our Government – this is our opportunity, let’s not waste it.
We can’t afford to do things how we have in the past, time for new thinking, new expectations and new standards of delivery.
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You’ve mentioned LEADERSHIP on a number of occasions it appears sadly lacking at this moment in time let’s hope TFG soon get to grips with LCC and start to enforce what is required by them. Local authorities need to get a grip and swiftly.
Agree Gary – thanks for your comment
Excellent report Paul on a critical issue that could seriously sour the impact of our new stadium, when everything else seems so positive. An interesting debate from Radio Merseyside with local leaders which sadly only served to underline the lack of commitment, finance, partnership working and infrastructure. It is insulting to hear that they were somehow waiting for a test event to recognise the total unsuitability of the current Sandhills station, even down to providing no cover from elements. Significant alterations are needed and take time and won’t be ready for August but this only serves to show that there is no funding in place (yet) to consider substantial development. I am investing in new pumps to jog the 1 mile plus back to my car …. that is when I finally find out where I can park.
Thanks Jeff, spot on with your analysis – the jogging will be an unexpected health benefit haha
As much as I hate to say it; we need to join forces with LFC under one banner and promote this city as a footballing destination using that brand as catalyst to go out there and get the investment. We are a senior club in name only and without LFC we are pissing in the wind. Not sure how FSG would be willing to get on board but a raising tide raises all boats. Get both owners in a conference room and bang their heads together! We have a world class footballing stadium “the Euros” and they have a global brand that’s 1000 times more valuable than ours…..
Good God Paul. You may feel the need to not point the finger but I don’t!
This issue has been around since planning permission (for what we see now), was granted in 2021. Beyond that date there are no excuses. With any project there are risks, Liverpool has a number of half built, yet to start or completed projects – the authorities can’t afford to wait.
When you have a blank canvass or new build site, priority is given to laying infrastructure to that site. There is global evidence that laying infrastructure to huge projects first shapes and enhances the final build. Yes the area has some issues with heritage planning but that’s not an excuse.
The authorities built a cycle/scooter lane that leads from the Albert Dock right up to BMD. They promote the scooters and cycles as active travel that doesn’t involve a car – great idea. On match days there are 53000 entering and leaving. Entering might be OK..ish but how does a cycle or scooter designed for use on their narrow lane navigate 53000 people? It doesn’t. You end up walking alongside a scooter or cycle because the designated lane is full of people walking. That’s just a common sense understanding of the issue. So, to make the route work – people walking need educating, the route needs “policing” to ensure everybody is safe (a subject referred to several times by Steve). You can’t promote cycles and scooters, spend a fortune on a designated route and then sit back and tell people they can’t use it for its designated purpose for safety reasons and you definitely can’t tell them to get off the cycle or scooter and walk too. By the time you are free of that 53000 people leaving the stadium you won’t need a cycle or a scooter. That’s not sensible and won’t help disperse people efficiently.
There is meant to be a walking route that takes you along the river side from Albert Dock past BMD. It abruptly stops just beyond the new ferry terminal. Beyond that there appears to be a number of issues with perhaps PEEL, abandoned materials, storage containers, rubbish and general access. That could have been laid, made safe, well lit and offered a very pleasant and panoramic view of the Mersey and beyond which delivered you at the footsteps to BMD. It would also offer the quickest “foot”route from the ample parking at the Albert Dock / Liverpool One where my instructions from EFC told me to park. If this walkway had been completed to BMD that would create two very separate areas of dispersal – one from the west (river side) and one from the east (Dock Rd side). Isn’t that bloody obvious? It might be challenging, it might need the cooperation of Peel to get it done but it should have been done or at least in its final phase by now.
What’s clear from the radio debate is that politics remains the issue and will always be the issue. These children need their heads banging together and somebody must be appointed that has no political persuasion to oversee the project. It’s not good enough to blame EFC’s financial woes when the stadium was literally going up. It was always getting built and the evidence (whatever might have been), is there for all to see. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail……and then we end up spending more time getting creative with excuses than we do resolving the problem.
Why couldn’t a few meters of tarmac with metal barriers at Sandhills been a wonderfully sculptured and designed comfortable covered area that people stop and say wow – look at that.
Claiming “if it’s ok for Aintree races” isn’t a reason not to do it and do it well. Just look at the plans for the all new station at the Baltic end of the city. Why hasn’t this approach been taken for the entire central/northern docks area. Steve was quick to acknowledge that our stadium was the catalyst – what exactly was it the catalyst for?
Why hasn’t the project for the central and northern docks and 10,000’s of homes and new businesses began with the installation of trams or new and improved rail links. And yes – car parks. If you wait until it’s there – that’s too late isn’t it. That won’t attract people, it will put them off.
We are going to end up with fans leaving 10 mins early to be first in the queue at Sandhills or to get on their scooter or cycle or be on the bus early. That’s not a good look for us but completely understandable for fans seeking a reasonable an d safer exit.
It needs everything improving, not one thing, it needs everything to be catered for and not one thing that serves the LCC’s narrative of “active travel”
Good politics is the only way to resolve these issues, bad politics is what ensures failure.
Steve Rotheram appears to be on good terms with Andy Burnham, is he so caught up in politics that his ego won’t allow him to tap into that experience?
Regards
Keith