Royal Liverpool hospital agrees plans with city council

The Royal Liverpool University Hospital and City Council have this week agreed a way forward that will enable the Hall Lane bypass to go ahead and a new, world-class hospital to be built.

That means work could now start on the Hall Lane relief road during 2007. And, detailed plans for a new city hospital could be submitted within the next two to three years.

A series of technical meetings have taken place with hospital executives and council officers. During these meetings a wide variety of options have been rigorously tested and assessed.

These exercises have demonstrated that a new highway infrastructure linking Islington to West Derby Street can be delivered alongside the redevelopment of the city's new hospital. 

As such local residents in Kensington Fields will benefit from a range of environmental improvements as well as the facilities and job opportunities presented by a new state-of-the-art hospital.

Cllr Warren Bradley, Lib Dem Council Leader, said: "We have always wanted a situation where the Royal Hospital could stay within the city centre while the Hall Lane scheme could go ahead.

"The city needs a world-class hospital but it also needs first-rate gateways into the centre - that is a key part of our regeneration. The Hall Lane scheme not only removes a notorious bottleneck for motorists but will produce a much better environment for local residents.

"We have been able to reach this position because both the hospital and council were committed to finding an acceptable solution. We have worked closely together and the result is the best possible outcome for the city and its people."

Roger James, Chairman of the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust, also confirmed that this represents a significant step forward. He said the news ensures the delivery of two critical schemes for the regeneration of the city. 

He explained: "This is an extremely positive outcome. It has been a long process involving a lot of hard work and commitment from both organisations to deliver a real solution.

"Our aim has always been to remain within the city boundaries. However, we also recognise the importance of the Hall Lane bypass. I believe we have now jointly identified a solution that can be delivered and which will ensure local residents benefit from significant environmental improvements. However, it will also ensure that the city benefits from one the best hospitals in the country."

 Alder Hey Hospital

Meanwhile, the Council's planning committee have backed plans to rebuild Alder Hey Childrens Hospital.

This comes after many months of negotiations,  with local Lib Dem Councillors working hard to preserve Springfield Park while gaining a  21st Century Hospital for local children.

While part of the park will be used for building the new hospital,  all the parkland will now be replaced.

Knotty Ash Lib Dem Cllr Dave Irving said: “When this first came to our attention, we objected to the initial proposals."

“The local councillors  voiced our concerns to the hospital and they took them on board. This new plan has got my full support. We are keeping the trees and we are keeping the park.”

 Developers hope to start work in 2009 and complete the new building by 2014 - but this is all dependent on the Government agreeing to funding.