Liverpool drivers face major disruption from tomorrow as preparations begin for the return of the city's River of Light festival. Dale Street and Water Street will close from 8am on Sunday, October 18, until 8pm on Tuesday, October 20, to allow crews to install the festival's light artworks.
The closure will affect the section between Exchange Street East and Lower Castle Street, with motorists advised to allow extra time for their journeys and follow signed diversion routes.
Which Liverpool roads will be closed?
The first closures begin at 8am on Sunday, October 18, and will remain in place until 8pm on Tuesday, October 20. The affected section of Dale Street and Water Street will close to allow event teams to install the artworks safely.
Drivers should plan alternative routes where possible and pay attention to temporary traffic signs while the restrictions are in place.
The same section of road is also scheduled to close again from 8am on Monday, November 2, until 8pm on Tuesday, November 3, to allow the installations to be removed.
Further restrictions will affect the area during the festival itself. From Friday, October 23, until Sunday, November 1, Dale Street will be closed to general traffic between Byrom Street and Water Street, where it meets The Strand, from 5pm until 9pm each evening.
The restrictions will also affect nearby streets, including Lower Castle Street, Fenwick Street, Rumford Street, Covent Garden, Drury Lane and Tower Gardens.
Great Howard Street is also currently closed northbound because of emergency electrical repairs by Scottish Power, adding to the travel arrangements affecting parts of the city.
Bus services will also be affected
People travelling by bus are being advised to check their journeys before setting off, as several services will be diverted during the initial road closures.
According to Merseytravel, services 12, 13, 14, 14A, 14B, 14X, 17, 17A, 19, 20 and 21 will be affected on morning journeys to Lord Street and Castle Street.
These services will instead travel to Queen Square Bus Station and terminate there, omitting stops around Crosshall Street, Dale Street, Castle Street and Lord Street.
Morning journeys in the opposite direction on services 12, 13, 14 and 14X will also start from Queen Square Bus Station rather than Lord Street or Castle Street.
Service 136 will follow a revised route, omitting part of Dale Street, Water Street and The Strand.
Passengers should check the latest information from Merseytravel before travelling, as diversions and stopping arrangements may vary by service.
River of Light returns to Liverpool next week
The road closures come ahead of the return of River of Light, which will run from October 23 to November 1.
This year's free festival has the theme 'Together' and will feature 13 illuminated art installations across Liverpool city centre and the waterfront.
The displays will be lit between 5pm and 9pm each evening, giving visitors the chance to explore the artworks after dark.
Locations include Pier Head, Royal Albert Dock, Exchange Flags, Williamson Square, St Paul's Square and Liverpool ONE.
The festival is free to attend, and visitors do not need to book tickets. Organisers encourage people to plan their routes in advance and consider travelling by public transport. With the festival expected to attract visitors to the city centre, anyone planning to drive through the affected areas over the coming weeks is advised to check road restrictions before setting off.
