British Waterways continues to work in partnership with Liverpool City Council, Liverpool Vision and key stakeholders to ensure the canal link respects the Pier Head, integrates and adds value to the proposed fourth grace development, tram link and new ferry and cruise liner terminal facilities. The final design of the Fourth Grace (The Cloud) will dictate how and where the canal link enters the South Dock system providing the silver lining to the cloud.
The Canal Link construction will include over 1km of new channel, 2 new locks, 5 new bridges and a tunnel. In support of an overriding vision to generate activity by boats and people the design will allow access for visiting canal boats, hire boats and water taxis.
There will be public walkways alongside the water as well as recreational areas.
The waterside along the canal will be terraced down, forming informal seating close to the water and shelter from the wind. The canal will be set at a level below the existing Pier Head, wide walkways across the canal will enable pedestrian circulation to be maintained.
Appropriate contemporary material will be used to reflect the character of the Pier Head. The canal line has been designed to protect the locations of existing monuments and the link will restore part of Manchester Dock exposing historic dock walls.
The sketch above right illustrates the relationship of the proposed channel across Pier Head with the Three Graces and other facilities.