Landmark investment set to transform Liverpool’s Fabric District

UPDATED POST

Liverpool is investing in its future – with a transformational scheme at the heart of the city’s emerging Fabric District.

A £3.4m Section 106 investment – the largest of its kind this century – has been approved by Liverpool City Council to kickstart the Monument Place makeover.

Pending Cabinet sign-off, this figure could soon be matched by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (Liverpool City Region Combined Authority), delivering a landmark project between the Knowledge Quarter and Lime Street.

Key features include:
✅ Dedicated bus-priority lanes and signal upgrades
✅ A high-quality public square with rain gardens, seating, and space for events
✅ Enhanced walking and cycling routes connecting to the city’s active travel network

Co-designed with the Fabric District CIC and stakeholders, the scheme merges Metro network improvements with public realm enhancements—all delivered as one contract under a proposed Section 8 Highways Act agreement with LCRCA.

Concept designs by Mott MacDonald and LDA Design are now at RIBA Stage 2, and public consultation has helped shape the next phase.

This project doesn’t just improve infrastructure—it redefines how Liverpool connects, moves, and thrives. A future-facing investment in placemaking, accessibility and climate resilience.

 

ORIGINAL POST ON 14TH JULY

The green light is set to be given for a radical makeover of a major Liverpool corridor thanks to a landmark multi-million pound boost.

Liverpool City Council has approved a £3.4m injection – its biggest Section 106 contribution of the century – to help fund a transformational scheme in the heart of the city’s emerging Fabric District, between the Knowledge Quarter and Lime Street.

And the historic sum could soon be doubled by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) pending approval of the scheme by the Council’s Cabinet.

A report to the Cabinet, tomorrow Tuesday (15 July) is seeking to confirm plans for a redesigned Monument Place, introducing dedicated bus-priority lanes and upgraded traffic signals on London Road – boosting service reliability on routes.

And thanks to the Section 106 funding, made up of monies collected from developments in the area and the match-funded LCRCA contribution, Monument Place will also be transformed into a high-quality district square with new paving, landscaping, rain gardens, seating and an event space – strengthening the Fabric District’s identity.

High-quality walking and cycling connections into Liverpool’s wider active-travel network will also be included. The funding and cabinet report comes as a public consultation on the scheme has been completed. Following the consultation, detailed designs will now be developed in collaboration with stakeholders.

The ambitious project combines the Metro network improvements with the Monument Place public realm works, in a partnership between the Council and LCRCA.

To enable this joined-up delivery, Cabinet is set to approve a Section 8 Highways Act 1980 agreement granting LCRCA the powers to carry out highway improvements from Lime Street to Low Hill.

Concept designs, developed jointly by Mott MacDonald and LDA Design, are now at RIBA Stage 2.

They were produced in collaboration with the Fabric District CIC through a series of stakeholder working group sessions.

The design team has also incorporated and built upon previous engagement undertaken by the Fabric District CIC. Once delivered the scheme would complement plans  to upgrade the St George’s Gateway which connects to this area of the city centre.

Councillor Dan Barrington, Cabinet Member for Transport and Connectivity, said:

“Monument Place and the Metro upgrades mark a major turning point for one of Liverpool’s most vital city-centre corridors.

“This project will deliver quicker, cleaner bus services alongside a beautifully reimagined public space that works for everyone – residents, visitors and businesses alike.

“This bold initiative demonstrates how combining smart transport with public realm improvements can fuel growth, cut emissions and create a city that’s easier to move around and healthier to live in.”

Councillor Nick Small, Cabinet member for Economy and Growth, added:

“I’m delighted that we have been able to make such a substantial Section 106 contribution to such a significant scheme.

“Thanks to this unprecedented funding injection we’ll be able to realise this imaginative and creative project, which will help transform the look and feel of the Fabric District and further improve its appeal to new investors.”

Simon O’Brien, Walking and Cycling Commissioner for the Liverpool City Region said:

“These are bold and exciting plans that will transform how people move between Liverpool city centre, the vibrant Fabric District, and surrounding areas.

“Improving walking, cycling, and bus links is about transport and much more – it’s about unlocking the full potential of this part of the city region, making it healthier, more connected, and more accessible for everyone.”

The future is Fabric District

A new prospectus has been released showcasing the future vision for Fabric District, a key component of Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter.

The document, created by Fabric District CIC, sets out how the once thriving area is set to become a resurgent force in the city’s economy, retaining the strengths of its existing community and welcoming new residents, businesses and visitors.

Its vision includes enhancing the public realm to prioritise pedestrians and cyclists over motor vehicles, bringing vacant sites and buildings back into use, especially at street level, encouraging vibrant street activity and appropriate new developments, including affordable accommodation, while helping to create new start-up and employment opportunities.

Fabric District CIC is working closely with Liverpool City Council and Knowledge Quarter Liverpool to drive forward a long-term, community-led regeneration strategy.

In his opening remarks of the prospectus, Michael Birkett, chair of Fabric District CIC, says:

“The Fabric District will regain its status as a vibrant part of Liverpool City Centre.”

The prospectus describes the potential of Fabric District:

“The Fabric District connects the cultural heart of the city with the University campuses and the ‘centre of knowledge’…[It] has the absolute potential to reverse its fortunes. Many ‘green shoots’ have already appeared.”

Colin Sinclair, chief executive of Knowledge Quarter Liverpool, adds:

“As a key area within KQ Liverpool, the Fabric District will play a crucial part in the ongoing economic growth and prosperity within our innovation district. Attracting additional public and private sector investment to help regenerate the area will provide further stimulus to support the great progress made to date.”

The new prospectus can be found here.

 

 

 

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