Major road upgrades will boost Port of Liverpool growth, says Jones

Transport Minister Andrew Jones has announced plans to upgrade roads around the Port of Liverpool to boost economic growth and deliver a Northern Powerhouse.

The Liverpool2 port development is expected to create around 1,000 new jobs in the area and has the potential to create a further 5,000 more in the wider supply chain. An upgrade to the roads will provide a further boost to the wartime sector, which currently employs 25,000 people across the city.

Jones said: “We are determined to improve access to the Port of Liverpool so we can deliver a Northern Powerhouse by creating new jobs and an economic boost to the region.

“We have two options to upgrade the roads around the port and it is important we choose the right one for the community. I welcome Highways England’s commitment to find the right one for Liverpool.”

The government is also in the process of improving rail access to the port and is set to add a second line on the Bootle to Port link, increasing the line speed and improving signalling at Earlestofwn West.

Warren Marshall, Group Planning Director at Peel Ports, said: “We welcome the Road Minister’s commitment to improving access to the Port of Liverpool, especially as we approach the opening of Liverpool2, our £300 million deep-water container terminal. Upgraded road connections are essential but it’s also important to recognise the benefits of other modes.

“Our new biomass terminal has the potential to handle up to three million tonnes of wood pellets for transport by rail to Drax Power Station in Yorkshire eliminating the equivalent of 200,000 HGV movements per annum.

“We are also committed to coastal shipping links to Dublin and Glasgow and our Manchester Ship Canal all-water freight service has experienced a 10-fold increase in containers handled to 30,000 since it was launched in 2007 with potential for up to 100,000. Road, rail and water connections will, together, create the corridors necessary for moving freight efficiently.”

The new development will enable the Port of Liverpool to increase its capability, allowing it to simultaneously handle two vessels carrying the equivalent of 13,000 containers each, a significant increase on its current ability.

The scheme is set to reach completion by 2018-19.