In both 2016 and 2019 specialist engineers declared the flyovers unsafe for traffic. Ways to strengthen the flyovers were explored but could not be used due to the way they were originally built. The cost of replacing the flyovers is estimated between £50m and £60m. It will cost £6.75m to take them down and this is considered the safest and most economical option.

No. Detailed traffic studies have been carried out which show that the existing road network is able to cope with any additional traffic. Once the flyovers have been taken down, the road network in the area will also be improved to help with traffic flow.

Work will go on virtually around the clock. To minimise any disturbance, the noisy demolition tasks will take place during the day, and the lifting and moving during the evening or night time. This 24-hour programme will allow the flyovers to be completely removed in a 16-week period.

Taking the flyovers down is a uniquely challenging task. The flyovers are multi-span post-tensioned concrete flyovers. These spans will be cut in-situ, lowered to the ground using heavy lifting equipment and then cut into smaller sections to be transported off site. This process has been designed to minimise the dust, noise, vibrations and environmental impact to the surrounding area.

The footbridges are much smaller than the flyovers so we can use more traditional and cost-effective ways to remove them. The steep gradient and level differences on Hunter Street also makes it unsuitable for heavy lifting equipment to lift out the deck sections. However, the footbridge over Cuerden Street, and spiral ramp behind the World Museum, will be cut and lifted out in sections using a crane to minimise any noise, dust and vibrations.

The sections of the deck will be stored for a year. They will then be crushed and used as filler and base for the new £20m southern link dual carriageway which will run from the existing Princes Parade between Princes Half Tide Dock and Princes Dock, to the Leeds Street/Great Howard Street/King Edward Street junction in the city centre.

We have no option but to remove trees so heavy lifting equipment can access the site to move the spans of the flyover that weigh upwards of 600 tonnes each. The council has promised to plant the same number of trees that have been removed, if not more. 

Existing pedestrian crossings will be improved and a clear pedestrian and disabled-friendly route will be signposted.  

• View the alternative route.

We will make every effort to make sure that the noisiest work takes place during the day, but it is inevitable that there will be some disturbance at night.

The deconstruction work will cause considerable disruption to traffic when roads are fully or partially closed. Please use alternative routes that avoid the area and give yourself enough time to reach your destination. See our weekly roadworks update for more up-to-date information.

Inevitably there will be some noise and dust but our contractor, Graham Construction, will use noise-suppressed machinery and acoustic barriers to minimise any noise. High volume water cannons will be used to reduce the dust when they break and cut materials. Noisy work will be carried out in the daytime whenever possible, although some of these tasks may have to be done during the night. We will wash the area down every day, and check and monitor the surrounding buildings and premises to ensure they are not being adversely affected.

We are working closely with Merseytravel and local bus operators to ensure that public transport remains accessible. Regular updates will be provided by Merseytravel on alternative travel options. We advise commuters to check with their bus operator for changes to routes and journeys.

We are developing a masterplan for the area which we hope to have ready for the public to comment on later in 2019.