Liverpool City Region

[Silvercity]

Coronavirus 'hope' as £1m lab testing 1,300 patients starts work in Liverpool
University of Liverpool researchers working to fight ' greatest pathogenic threat to humanity for over 100 years'


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A professor says “there is hope” as a state of the art £1million laboratory to fight coronavirus starts work at the University of Liverpool .
Researchers at the university describe the coronavirus pandemic as “the greatest pathogenic threat to humanity for over 100 years.”




But millions in funding has been provided following the Government’s so called Rapid Response Call, urging the medical sector to find ways of tackling Covid-19.
So far in the UK, 281 people have died of coronavirus and there have been 5,061 confirmed infections - although as testing is not widespread the true rate is considered to be many times higher.
After the call from the Department of Health and Social Care, the Medical Research Council made £20million available to scientists working to tackle the disease.

Liverpool university received £5million jointly alongside the University of Edinburgh and Imperial College London to examine Covid-19 and its effects on the body.

The grant includes £1 million funding to establish and run the Outbreak Laboratory in Liverpool.

(Image: Liverpool ECHO)
Calum Semple, Professor of Outbreak Medicine at the University of Liverpool, said: “The Outbreak Lab is a unique UK national resource enabling collection, distribution and analysis of thousands of specimens at high containment levels to ensure public safety.
READ MORE

• Coronavirus live updates as Boris Johnson under pressure to order UK lockdown

“This coronavirus pandemic is the greatest pathogenic threat to humanity for over 100 years.
“Not since 1918 have we seen such an impact on global society, but there is hope because for the first time, the world’s scientific community is cooperating to combat this disease.”
Click here to read today's top news stories and click here for the latest coronavirus updates .
Professor Semple has assembled a team of specially trained scientists and technicians who will work in Liverpool’s high-level Biological Safety Laboratories

The team will collect samples and data from 1,300 Covid-19 patients in the UK.
The university says results will provide real-time information about the coronavirus, and the disease it causes, which should help to control the outbreak and improve treatment for patients.

(From Liverpool Echo )

 

[Silvercity]

This seems very unfair, certainly the government is not helping the city region transportation during these difficult times.


Fears for future of Merseyrail as pandemic hits finances hard
Without government funding, services could be reduced

Merseyrail Moorfields train station. Photo by Colin Lane

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Cuts could be forced on Merseyrail and other transport routes if the government doesn't provide funding to support them, Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has warned.
Merseyrail's finances have been hit hard by the pandemic, with revenue cut drastically as lockdown measures meaning its services are only transporting a small fraction of its normal customers.


Social distancing measures mean capacity on trains will be reduced for a significant period, limiting any chance for a rebound financially.
The government has announced support for bus and other local transport services to help them cope with the effects of the pandemic and is in negotiations with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority over financial support for Merseyrail.

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While rail transport systems in many other cities have benefited from direct funding from the Department for Transport in recent months, Liverpool has not.
A support fund announced earlier this year covered light rail systems in Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham and Sheffield but because Merseyrail operates a heavy rail system it was not eligible.

Transport for London received a separate £1.6 billion bailout.
Appearing virtually before Parliament’s Transport Select Committee, Metro Mayor Rotheram said that while Merseyrail and other operators had managed to sustain services so far, the long term financial impact would mean cuts to services would need to be considered if the government doesn't provide “significant, flexible and long term funding”.


He said: “I have been doing everything within my power to protect people’s safety while keeping the region moving but this crisis has exposed the problems with the way our country does public transport.
“The status quo is unsustainable for local transport. Without significant support from central government, many authorities will be forced to make cuts which will seriously damage our economic recovery.”
Metro Mayor Rotheram also appealed for the government to send grants and financial support for transport directly to metro mayors and combined authorities, saying they could use the money to more effectively link up services between different modes of transport.

(from Liverpool Echo )

 

[Silvercity]

Fit-out begins at £35m Royal College of Physicians HQ
Last updated Jun 22, 2020
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Known ‘The Spine’, the 160,000 sq ft development is one of the flagship projects in the Liverpool’s £2bn Knowledge Quarter and will house the RCP’s northern headquarters. Tony McDonough reports

Image of how The Spine will look inside

Fit-out work has started on the new £35m Royal College of Physicians (RCP) northern headquarters in Liverpool’s Paddington Village.
Known ‘The Spine’, the 160,000 sq ft development, one of the flagship projects in the city’s £2bn Knowledge Quarter, was ‘topped out’ in January and now work is to begin getting the building ready for occultation by the RCP.
Designed by architects AHR, it is claimed The Spine will be one of the healthiest workspaces for mental health and physical wellbeing in the UK and will offer the first grade A office development in the city centre for a decade.
The RCP will occupy 70,000 sq ft across seven floors while the remaining seven floors will offer workspaces aimed at companies and organisations in the health, technology, science and education sectors.
A dedicated exhibition space on the first floor will connect via a staircase to a ground floor café and foyer, while the higher floors, which are 11,550 sq ft, will enjoy some of the best views of the city thanks to floor-to-ceiling glazing throughout.
CBRE’s North West building consultancy and project management team and fit-out specialist Overbury, have now started fit-out works on the RCP space. CBRE was appointed by the RCP in 2018 to advise on city and site location for the its new regional Hub.
CBRE is responsible for the delivery of the complex and high specification fit out, which is due to complete in spring 2021. The team has negotiated a fit-out contract with Overbury on an open book basis and site set up works have subsequently started on-site.
RCP at The Spine will provide world-class facilities for medical examinations and assessments, educational courses and conferences, an exhibition space and office areas for RCP staff.
It will be built according to principles established in the WELL Standard, the premier standard for buildings, interior spaces and communities seeking to implement, validate and measure features that support and advance human health and wellness.

Topping out ceremony for The Spine in January 2020

It comprises of seven concepts – air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort and mind. These concepts incorporate a total of 102 features of a building that can be designed to optimise the health of the occupants of the building and create an environment to promote a healthy and happy workforce.
Oliver Thomas, senior director and head of the northern building consultancy team, said: “The development responds to the need for more education and research in northern England, Scotland, north Wales and Northern Ireland and upholds the RCP’s strategic vision to benefit members, fellows and partners in its commitment to improve patient care in the UK and internationally.
“Despite the challenges resulting from COVID-19 we have ensured that the project can proceed safely and on target for its spring 2021 completion. The fit out already had Wellness at the heart of the design, optimised for RCP’s workforce and we haven’t had to change the design as a result of COVID-19.”
featured


(From LBN )

 

[Silvercity]

Littlewoods Film Studios clinches £17m funding commitment
By Max Miller3 August 2020

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£54 million regeneration project could be back on track after large fire

Littlewoods Film Studios has obtained a £17 million funding commitment from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s Strategic Investment Fund.
This funding is to be used as part of a £54 million regeneration project being developed by Capital&Centric, turning the recently derelict Littlewoods building into a new home for film and TV production. Twickenham Studios is already signed up as an anchor tenant, giving a boost to the plans.
Along with the work on the building itself, Liverpool City Council will use part of the funds to create ‘pop-up’ studios on land neighbouring the lot. These are expected to be operational by the end of the year, allowing for filming before the main space is completed.
Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said: “Littlewoods Studios is a hugely exciting regeneration project and this funding will ensure we can deliver the studios for the people of Liverpool. With streaming services like Netflix booming during lockdown, there’s going to be more demand than ever for studio space. While Liverpool has a blossoming digital and film industry we want to capitalise on filming opportunities and the economic benefits they bring.”
“Littlewoods Studios is going to change all that, providing Hollywood-standard facilities that will complete our world class offer. Now, more than ever, we need to be looking to the future and focusing on major regeneration projects that will deliver highly-skilled jobs and investment for the long term.”
It had been hoped that work would start on the development by the end of 2019, but a large fire swept through the building last September – putting these plans on hold. They were then further impacted by the Covid-19 crisis.
However, Capital&Centric are now confident that some movement will be seen in the near future.
Their co-founder, Adam Higgins, said of the new funding: “A project of this scale was always going to be a challenge, but despite the impact of the fire we’ve had the full support of the City Council and Combined Authority. We know people have been frustrated that things haven’t moved more quickly but we’ve all been working really hard behind the scenes and with this funding in place we’re going to do everything we can to get on site before the end of the year.”

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( Credit to " Broadcast" )

 

[Silvercity]

New reseach ship RSS David Attenborough departing Liverpool today. Built on the Mersey at Cammel Lairds Shipbuilders for the British Antarctic Survey.

 

[Silvercity]

Has a lovely day to set off.

 

[Silvercity]

Further expansion at Liverpool Port.

An exciting day at the Port of Liverpool, with the arrival of a further 5 cantilever CRMG cranes ready for installing and commissioning, as part of the next phase of growth at #Liverpool2, the port’s deep-water container terminal. Photo credit: Paul Ambrose & Rob Tebay



2:48 pm · 8 Jan 2021·Twitter Web App

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[Silvercity]

From LBN

Developer Romal Capital is submitting plans for a new £100m neighbourhood with apartments and shops in Liverpool’s northern docklands. Tony McDonough reports

Romal Capital’s £100m neighbourhood scheme for Liverpool Waters


Developer Romal Capital has unveiled a £100m plan for a new scheme at Liverpool Waters including homes, retail and infrastructure investment.

Romal, led by Australian property developer Greg Malouf and Sam Rowlands, has already delivered the Quay Central and Park Central residential schemes at the waterfront site. It is now proposing to create a new waterfront neighbourhood.

On Thursday it submitted a planning application to Liverpool City Council for the project which will transform a derelict site in Central Docks and build 330 ‘smart homes’, retail space and amenities, as well as significant investment in the surrounding infrastructure.

They say it will provide a “crucial link” in the development of the riverside from Princes Dock, to the proposed site of the new Everton FC stadium within Peel L&P’s £5bn Liverpool Waters scheme.

The proposals include a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments. To reduce net emissions each new smart home will include power usage monitoring and solar panels will be fitted to all common areas. There is also investment to encourage the use of electric cars, with 20 EV charging stations proposed.

Plans are underway for selected occupiers such as hairdresser, beauty salon, delicatessens with alfresco dining, bike rental stores and other resident-friendly retail outlets. The proposals also include investment into public realm.

New public spaces will include a new active waterfront, marina and floating dock, a suspended six-metre wide cathedral-style bridge for pedestrian and bike access, roof top gardens as well as space for alfresco dining.

The proposals are adjacent to plans for a new cultural square that will be used for public events and activities including music and entertainment. These new public spaces will be available for use by new residents, the existing community, business users and visitors alike.

It is close to the new Isle of Man Ferry terminal – currently under construction – and located on the recently completed Jesse Hartley Way boulevard that links the new ferry terminal to the city centre.

Also included are new riverside walkways and a suspended bridge to enable complete access for pedestrians and cyclists along Liverpool’s entire historic waterfront. Greg Malouf, co-founder of Romal Capital, said: “We are very excited about this scheme and it’s potential to transform this barren brownfield land into a thriving new waterfront neighbourhood.

Romal Capital’s £100m scheme will see the delivery of both homes and shops


“The combination of new smart homes, carefully selected retail and leisure, and huge investment in new public realm, will deliver not only a high-quality lifestyle for its residents, but also ensures much needed world class connectivity.

“Over the last few years, we have engaged with, and listened to, a range of stakeholders and in response we have made adjustments to our proposals. The heights of some buildings have been reduced.

“The make up of residential units is more diverse to attract more families to the area, and designs have been revised to better reflect the area’s long maritime history and historic appeal.”

Darran Lawless, director of development for Peel L&P’s Liverpool Waters, added: “This development, being brought forward by Romal Capital, will provide much needed high quality new homes on this brownfield site and create a fantastic new neighbourhood within Central Docks.

“It will also provide critical links between neighbouring developments, including the Isle of Man Ferry Terminal, and key sections of the waterfront. With the proposed investment in new public realm, we can improve access for all and bring life back to this historic waterfront.”

 

[Silvercity]

A new bio-refinery that will convert non-recyclable household waste into aviation fuel will be built on the banks of the Mersey, costing £600m and creating 800 jobs. Tony McDonough reports

Stanley oil refinery operated by Essar Oil UK


A new £600m bio-refinery that will convert non-recyclable household waste into aviation fuel is to be built on the banks of the River Mersey, creating 800 jobs.

Essar Oil (UK) is teaming up with US-based Fulcrum BioEnergy and Essar’s subsidiary company, Stanlow Terminals, to build the facility at the Stanlow oil refinery at Ellesmere Port next to the river.

The new plant will convert several hundred thousand tonnes of pre-processed waste, which would have otherwise been destined for incineration or landfill, into approximately 100m litres of low carbon aviation fuel every year.

It will use Fulcrum’s proven waste-to-fuel process, which is already being deployed at its pioneering facility outside of Reno, Nevada in the US, where operations are due to begin later this year.

The development will see Fulcrum, whose parent company is based in California, construct, own and operate the plant within Essar’s Stanlow manufacturing complex. This will be the first Fulcrum plant outside the United States.

Essar will assist with the blending and supply the new fuel to airlines, with Stanlow Terminals providing product storage and logistics solutions for the project under a long-term agreement.

Stein Ivar Bye, chief executive of Essar Oil UK, said: “Stanlow has produced high quality energy products for over 60 years and we intend to remain a key national supplier of energy for the UK into the future.

“Our sights are firmly set on helping to drive the UK’s decarbonisation strategy. This landmark development supports our long term sustainability ambition to deliver the energy solutions of the future and position Stanlow as the UK’s leading sustainable aviation fuel hub.

“It also complements the announcement last month regarding a blue hydrogen development at Stanlow as part of the HyNet project. Together, these initiatives will help diversify the refinery in a greener direction, and help achieve the UK’s decarbonisation goals.”

Essar’s Stanlow facility employs around 1,000 people. It supplies 16% of all UK road transport fuels and each year produces 4.4bn litres of diesel, 3bn litres of petrol and 2bn litres of jet fuel.

The global Essar Group acquired the then loss-making Stanlow in 2011 from Shell and has since invested £650m turning it into a sustainable and profitable business. It now generates annual revenues of more than £4bn

The project, which will fully integrate Essar, Stanlow Terminals and Fulcrum assets and technology, is part of a number of innovative projects at Stanlow designed to cut carbon emissions and contribute to the UK Government’s Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution.

Named Fulcrum NorthPoint, the project will create 800 direct and indirect jobs during the design, build and commissioning process and over 100 permanent jobs during its operation. Plans for Fulcrum NorthPoint are expected to be complete at the end of this year and subject to planning consent, will be operational in late 2025.

Patrick Walters, chief executive of Stanlow Terminals, added: “By offering efficient low carbon logistics solutions to develop third party business we support diversification of the traditional refinery business and become a fundamental part of the UK drive to become carbon neutral.”

And Jeff Ovens, managing director, UK & Europe Fulcrum, also said: “We are excited to be announcing this project, located within one of the UK’s most important energy producing assets, which will help reduce the burden on landfills and industry’s reliance on fossil fuels.”


from LBN

 

[Silvercity]

New area plan has been approved by city council.

Liverpool City Council's planning committee unanimously approve
@Everton
FC's application to build a 52,888 seater stadium at #BramleyMooreDock in North #Liverpool. Decision will now go to Secretary of State
@mhclg
for consideration.





The People's Project and 9 others

 

[JENNYJET]

We shall find out how serious UNESCO are or how good a backbone the Sec. State has! I think it looks gorgeous.

 

[Silvercity]

News from Twitter

The Port of Liverpool has today welcomed a further arrival of five cantilever rail-mounted gantry (CRMG) cranes as part of the next phase of growth at #Liverpool2, the port’s deep-water container terminal. Read more here: https://bit.ly/3eaLXW6

 

[Silvercity]

From twitter


Welcome to Liverpool: don’t wander off on your own” Cunard's historic HQ is a star attraction on the waterfront of the Mersey city. But if you take a Cunard cruise to Liverpool this summer, you won’t be allowed off the ship except on an official excursion



Passengers on UK voyages allowed ashore only on official excursions
independent.co.uk

 

[Silvercity]

Good News about new stadium project , the development can now proceed .

Liverpool City Council has been informed that the Secretary of State
@MHCLG
will not call in
@Everton
FC's plan to build a football stadium at #BramleyMooreDock in
@PeelLivWaters
. The council will now grant #Everton permission to build, subject to legal agreement.



The People's Project and 6 others

 

[Silvercity]

Good News about new stadium project , the development can now proceed .

Liverpool City Council has been informed that the Secretary of State
@MHCLG
will not call in
@Everton
FC's plan to build a football stadium at #BramleyMooreDock in
@PeelLivWaters
. The council will now grant #Everton permission to build, subject to legal agreement.

The People's Project and 6 others

Considering this is a pretty major construction and has taken a long time in the planning it got a fleeting mention on the NW local bbc news. Whereas they spent ages interviewing someone who dresses up as a Dalek !

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Considering this is a pretty major construction and has taken a long time in the planning it got a fleeting mention on the NW local bbc news. Whereas they spent ages interviewing someone who dresses up as a Dalek !

News editors do sometimes have an odd sense of proportion. Probably thought that in these serious times something light-hearted fitted the bill (I presume the Dalek story was light-hearted).

 

[Silvercity]

News editors do sometimes have an odd sense of proportion. Probably thought that in these serious times something light-hearted fitted the bill (I presume the Dalek story was light-hearted).

We have a rather Manchester centric local news im afraid also.

 

[JENNYJET]

Blame the editors, they have wonderous powers of audience appreciation of what we OUGHT to know! Do the viewers up north have to suffer Nick Owen and his one liners?

 

[rollo]

Considering this is a pretty major construction and has taken a long time in the planning it got a fleeting mention on the NW local bbc news. Whereas they spent ages interviewing someone who dresses up as a Dalek !

Exterminate.

 

[Silvercity]

Blame the editors, they have wonderous powers of audience appreciation of what we OUGHT to know! Do the viewers up north have to suffer Nick Owen and his one liners?

Not sure i know Nick Owen.