Tunnel ventilation tower
Article i present a 'dawn to dusk' portrait of the wirral waterfront and the liverpool waterfront with a few words about unesco at the end.
The sun rises over the contemporary skyline of Liverpool.
This is East Float, part of the Wirral Waters development, and by the Mersey, 12 Quays ferry terminal. Soon the sun is obscured by an early morning bank of cloud but it will soon be gone. This is the view north towards the cranes of Liverpool Docks, over the landing stage at Seacombe
This is the Kingsway Tunnel ventilation tower. The tunnel runs right underneath. Cycling along Seacombe Promenade there are great views north towards the docks and south towards the waterfront. We pass Wallasey town hall and return to Wirral Waters.
Study this scene carefully as all is about to change. The Mersey Ferries commuter service operates during the morning and afternoon rush hour. These days, there's not much of a rush on the ferry. Most people drive or take the train. The River Explorer cruise operates at other times during the day and is a top attraction for tourists and locals. The Ferry across the Mersey is one of Liverpool's most memorable experiences. I'll never forget taking it as a child. The journey takes about 10 minutes.
Clouds still hang over the Pier Head. At this time of the morning it's still quiet, apart from a lone cyclist. This is Stanley Dock Lift Bridge, part of the UNESCO designated area. And that's Salisbury Dock and the six-sided Docker's Clock or Victoria Tower by Jesse. Hartley. As part of the Liverpool Waters project, the historic docks will be transformed, as has already happened to the area around Princes Dock. Liverpool is a working port, here's the catamaran Manannan arriving from the Isle of Man, and at 10:30 every day, the Stena Embla departs for Belfast. The Pier Head is the central focus of the waterfront, a place of leisure, tourism, culture and relaxation, a well-loved public space.
The Beatles Statues are Liverpool's number one selfie opportunity. From the east side we see the Three Graces and next to them, the Queensway Tunnel Ventilation. Shaft and Offices surely the Fourth Grace? The Waterfront is a continuous area of interlinking attractions and walkways created on the site of the old docks. The Albert Dock is perhaps Liverpool's most magnificent and best loved attraction, a prime example of how restoring the past creates great opportunities for the future. In recent years, around 6 million visitors have come to the Albert Dock every year as well as countless boats. The waterfront is the place to step out and enjoy the sunshine. The Liverpool Museum is a striking and controversial piece of modern architecture. Nothing can ever replace the Liver Building as Liverpool's most famous symbol, seen here cycling south along New Quay.
On sunny days, the Pier Head is buzzing with activity. You can take the Mersey Ferries River Explorer Cruise or a cruise around the Albert Dock on the Floating Grace. Everywhere you look there are stunning vistas.
It's amazing to think this was once
A working dock, manned an army of dock workers.
The addition of the canal link has added an extra element to the Pier Head. But when rainy weather draws in off the Irish Sea, the waterfront takes on a different character. Everywhere along the waterfront, people move around by e-scooter, by bike, on foot and on other strange contraptions we'll see later. That's the 'Heaven and Earth' sculpture by Andy Plant, celebrating local astronomer Jeremiah.
Horrocks. That's the sculpture of Captain F. J. Walker by Tom Murphy, unveiled in 1998. Even in dull, rainy weather the Liverpool waterfront is visually captivating. This is about the only time when the Beatles Statues are not crowded with people. Every hour till 10pm, the Liver Building's electronic chimes ring out over the Pier Head. We turn the clock back to a sunny evening on the Pier Head, now the preserve of skaters, skateboarders, the young and the young at heart.