A missing monument that once marked the history of the Mersey Tunnels connecting Liverpool and the Wirral has finally been restored to its rightful home. The obelisk, which went missing from outside the tunnel in the 1960s, has been reinstated as part of a wider regeneration project.
Return of the Queensway Tunnel Monument
When the Queensway Tunnel first opened in 1934, two identical monuments designed by Herbert Rowse, the architect behind the tunnel, stood at either side of the Mersey in Liverpool and Birkenhead. The Liverpool-based installation was removed in the 1960s following major road layout changes around the tunnel entrances.
Improvements at Old Haymarket, at the city entrance of the tunnel, have transformed a key area, with new landscaping and seating celebrating its significant role in the city's rich heritage and civic identity. Visitors can now enjoy a closer view of the reinstated Queensway Tunnel Monument, with the new public space creating a welcoming focal point in the heart of the city.
Restoration of Historic Features
Plans to reinstate the monument were first revealed back in 2023. Its return marks a celebration of the city's proud transport history, combining modern engineering with Rowse's Neo-Classical and Art Deco design legacy, while supporting improvements to the surrounding public space. The black marble-clad columns, each topped with gilded lamps, were constructed not only to illuminate the entrances but also to symbolise the grandeur and significance of the project.
Alongside these improvements, historic features that once formed part of the original tunnel entrance have been restored. This includes the conservation of the two Art Deco-style toll booths, preserving their distinctive architectural character using traditional materials and techniques. Also making a welcome return is the site's mosaic, made from Venetian glass, alongside a new bronze tactile map of the tunnel network, providing an accessible and interactive way for visitors to explore the Queensway Tunnel's history while enhancing the character of this important civic space.
Investment and Community Pride
This latest work forms part of a wider programme of investment by the Combined Authority across the Liverpool City Region to revitalise historic assets, improve public spaces and support long-term regeneration and has been delivered with funding support from the UK Government.
Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said: "The Queensway Tunnel is one of the defining engineering achievements of our city region's history, and the monument that marked its construction stood as a symbol of the ambition and confidence that shaped Liverpool. It's about restoring some of our lost cultural assets, investing in public art and the return of civic pride, and it stands as a beacon of hope for our future."
The new monument has been engineered using reinforced concrete, polished to closely resemble the original black granite used in the 1930s.
Simon Lightwood MP, roads and buses minister, said: "Our historic landmarks tell the story of the communities they serve, which is why it is great to see Liverpool's iconic Queensway Tunnel monument reinstated. As well as restoring people's pride in their community, we are backing Liverpool City Region with £37.5m in Government funding as part of our efforts to boost connections in the region and improve journeys up and down the country."
