Parking restrictions around County Road in Walton are to be reviewed after businesses raised concerns that a lack of legal short-stay parking is affecting customers and trade. Liverpool Council will examine the area as part of a wider review of parking schemes across the city.
The review forms part of a programme of investment developed in response to feedback from businesses, aiming to create a cleaner, greener and more welcoming environment for residents, visitors and shoppers. New pocket parks, trees, murals and street improvements are proposed at key locations, funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority as the lead agency.
Planned Improvements and Community Feedback
Communal bin screening is also planned to improve the appearance of key locations, encourage recycling and help tackle fly-tipping. Improvements began in July with the installation of new pocket parks at the Hale Road and Carisbrooke Road junctions, bringing benches and planting to create more welcoming spaces for people to stop, meet friends and spend time on the high street.
The scheme was developed following engagement with businesses, who said a greener, more attractive environment and more places to sit would encourage people to spend longer on County Road and support local trade. The pocket parks are the first step in a wider programme of improvements being delivered by teams across the council.
Art and Tree Planting
Work has been completed on a new mural at the Hale Road junction, created by artist Madeleine Pires in collaboration with business owner Rachel Workman (Uniqcorn/Well Made CIC), supported by Culture Liverpool, Liverpool Council and dot-art. The concept for the artwork is based on themes of community resilience, using the metaphor of buddleia as beauty thriving in tough terrain. Pires has previously worked with dot-art and Culture Liverpool on the award-winning Flower Streets Murals Project in neighbouring Kirkdale.
Further murals and public art will be delivered in the County Road area by the Culture Liverpool team during autumn and winter. New trees will be planted on land at the junction of Arundel Street and Carisbrooke Road and on land off Chirkdale Street, with the work funded through Section 106 developer contributions.
Council Statement
Cllr Nick Small, Liverpool Council cabinet member for growth and economy, said: “County Road is an important local high street with a strong community spirit and proud local businesses. These improvements have been shaped by feedback from the people who know the area best and are about making County Road a cleaner, greener and more welcoming place to spend time.”
He added: “From new seating and planting to public art and tree planting, we're investing in practical changes that will make a real difference to the look and feel of the area while supporting local businesses and encouraging pride in the neighbourhood.”
