The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is set to invest nearly £12 million from its reserves to kickstart a major transformation of Monument Place and London Road in Liverpool city centre, ensuring the area is ready for the region's shift to bus franchising this September.
Funding and Timeline
The Combined Authority will be asked to approve the use of £11.98 million in reserves at a meeting next week. The funds will allow a construction contract to be awarded under the SCAPE framework before the full business case is completed, as work must begin within two months to meet a February 2028 completion deadline. The total project budget is estimated at £16.72 million, with Liverpool Council already contributing £3.4 million from section 106 developer funds last summer.
Planned Improvements
The scheme focuses on Monument Place, a key junction on the 10A bus route connecting the city centre to St Helens. Plans include dedicated bus-priority lanes, upgraded traffic signals on London Road, and a redesigned public square with new paving, landscaping, rain gardens, seating, and an event space. The area will also gain high-quality walking and cycling links to Liverpool's wider active-travel network, strengthening the identity of the emerging Fabric District between the Knowledge Quarter and Lime Street.
Context and Impact
The upgrade is timed to support the introduction of bus franchising across the Liverpool City Region. Buses come under public control from September 2026, with Liverpool services joining the second tranche by September 2027. A Combined Authority report states: “The Bus Priority measures should alleviate pressures on the transport network by reducing the risk of delay to the large volume of buses operating through the Lime Street to Low Hill corridor to/from Queens Square Bus Station. Unlocking such efficiencies will also underpin the successful introduction of Bus Franchising in the Liverpool area by September 2027. As such, it is recommended that project is accelerated.”
Once completed, the scheme will complement the planned upgrade of St George's Gateway, which connects to this part of the city centre. The Combined Authority report added: “Given the accelerated timescales for project delivery, the business case that the Combined Authority must approve for the project to proceed using City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) funding is not yet complete. A request is therefore made to temporarily utilise £11.98m of Combined Authority reserves to allow the award of the construction contract under the SCAPE framework prior to the approval of the business case.”
