These striking images show how part of Liverpool’s long-awaited new hospital will look.
The new Royal Liverpool Hospital project has been heavily delayed following the collapse of the original contractor Carillion, back in 2018.
Further delays came when the new contractors had to strip out three floors of the building and start major work to reinforce the structure with steelwork and additional reinforced concrete.
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However, now Liverpool is edging closer to finally having the new hospital it badly needs, with hospital bosses hoping the build will be completed next spring in time for an official opening next summer.
And today the Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (LUHFT) has unveiled some major new plans for part of the building.
CGI designs of the new podium entrance to the New Royal Liverpool University Hospital
The trust is planning to bring forward plans for a ‘podium’ entrance to the new hospital’s north elevation to help with access to the new facility.
The podium will provide vehicular and pedestrian access to short stay drop off points and disabled parking close to the north side main entrances.
Originally in the long-term site plan, delays to the project have allowed the development of the imposing entrance to be brought forward.
The trust hopes the podium will provide easier access for patients and minimise potential traffic congestion on routes around the hospital campus.
Steve Warburton, Chief Executive at Liverpool University Hospitals, said: “We have an opportunity to reassess the build programme and reconfigure aspects of the construction to better suit current and future patient needs.
“Clatterbridge Cancer Centre is now open and there has been significant progress on the development of the Knowledge Quarter, bringing increased footfall and traffic to the area, so it made sense to bring forward the planned development of the podium, ahead of the opening of the new hospital.
CGI designs of the new podium entrance to the New Royal Liverpool University Hospital
“As part of this process we have been working closely with all stakeholders and a planning application will be submitted to create a podium entrance accessed off Prescot Street and via Mount Vernon Street to facilitate airport style drop off and pick up points.
“The podium will be submitted for planning to Liverpool City Council this month and, subject to approval, construction will commence in January 2022 and is expected to complete in summer 2022.”
The saga of the city’s desperately needed new hospital has been dragging on for years.
The 646-bed facility was originally due to open to the public in 2017.
It had already experienced delays when construction company Carillion collapsed in 2018, leading to much wider complications and longer delays.
Eventually the Private Finance Initiative that had been used to fund the project was torn up and it was announced in 2018 that public money would be used to complete the building.
However, when new contractors arrived on the site they found significant construction problems that needed to be addressed – adding further delays and additional costs onto the project.
Last year a report from the National Audit Office projected the overall costs of the new Royal could tip over the £1.1 billion mark – although most of those extra costs will be picked up by private PFI investors and Carillion, rather than the taxpayer.
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