Following the tragic incident on Queens Drive, we understand many local residents want to know what is happening with the road.
To assist, we have put together a list of Frequently Asked Questions to help answer some of your queries.
UPDATE – 23/1/24
Testing has taken place this morning on the new flood sensors, signage and barriers that have been installed on site.
As well as measuring water levels, the sensors will provide long term data which will show how quickly or slowly water is getting through. This data will also aid information for future maintenance works.
Two temporary barriers are also now in place, one before and one after the Queens Drive bridges. These barriers will be triggered, following an alert from the primary sensors on the bridge. The barriers will come down and the VMS signs at either end will illuminate.
Permanent barriers are expected to be installed in the Spring.
Following analysis of the testing results, and repairs to the road surface, the Council will be in a position to determine a date for the road to be reopened.
VIDEO: Hear from Council Leader, Cllr Liam Robinson, on trialling of new flood testing equipment
UPDATE – 21/12/23
Work is nearing completion on the installation of new flood sensors and signage which will enable the reopening of part of Queens Drive.
Following a delay due to bad weather earlier in the month, the sensors are being fitted.
They will then need to be tested over the New Year period to make sure they are working satisfactorily.
If all goes to plan, it is hoped the road could reopen in January.
We would like to thank residents and motorists for their patience and understanding while the work is ongoing.
UPDATE – 17/11/23
All of the physical work has now been completed on the road, including:
- Installation of modern gullies to provide better cleaning and CCTV accessibility
- Repairs to the carriageway and footway
- Assessment of the road bridge – a report is being reviewed to determine and programme repairs (no immediate action is required).
- Erection of signs stating ‘Road Liable to Flood’ either end of the location.
Gully sensors will be installed in early December, but unfortunately there have been supply issues with the variable message signage and we estimate it will take around three months for delivery and installation. However we are exploring additional temporary variable message signage and will provide an update in the coming weeks.
It has already been agreed that the road will not reopen until the sensors and signage are installed. We will shortly be starting work on a full risk assessment so that we are in the best possible position to reopen the road when this work is complete, if we believe the new measures are satisfactory.
In the medium term, we will also be arranging for the following work to be undertaken:
- Repairs and painting of the road bridge
- Replacement of all street lighting to the more efficient LED standard. The design for these is currently being undertaken.
- Further assessment of the carriageway and footway to determine if we undertake a full resurface of these assets.
We have also had confirmation that the Environment Agency funding has been secured to install a number of rain gauges around the city and we will ensure one is installed near Queens Drive.
We would like to thank residents and motorists for their patience while the work is under way.
UPDATE – 27/10/23
The key works that have taken place over the last week include:
- All road works were completed on Friday and our contractor has removed all machinery and materials.
- Completion of tree trimming, pruning and cutting back of trees and vegetation.
Remaining works to be completed:
- Due to the heavy rainfall last week, the road re-lining work could not be completed, and a new date is to be programmed in.
- Repairs of Briardale Road bridge and drainage works under network Rail Bridge Deck will be completed at the same time.
- Installation of flood sensors and VMS signage.
The current road closure notice means the route will remain closed until 16 November, and we will update you when we can say with more certainty when it will reopen.
We would like to apologise for any inconvenience and thank people for their continued patience.
UPDATE – 18/10/23
The key works that have taken place over the last week include:
- Patching work has been completed on the carriageway (temporary) and footway (permanent).
- The new gully enhancements (replacement of old design gullies to new modern design to improve access for CCTV and jetting) have been jetted and ensured they are running.
- Tree pruning and removal has begun, with dead trees and overhanging branches being removed. Two additional healthy trees are being removed due to danger to nearby retaining walls.
The following work will take place imminently:
- Minor repairs to the bridge
- Road markings on site to be refreshed
- Cleaning and possibly repainting the bridge
- Tree pruning to be completed by Friday 20 October (weather permitting)
We are also attempting to get the street lighting design and installation completed during the road closure, although this is by no means certain.
We are still awaiting a confirmed date for installation of gully sensors and associated electronic warning signs for the site.
There will be discussions with partner agencies about any other work needed at the site, which will determine when we can resurface the carriageway.
The current road closure notice allows us to keep the route shut until 16 November, and we will update you when we can say with more certainty when it will reopen. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience and thank people for their continued patience.
UPDATE – 9/10/23
A further temporary road closure order for part of Queens Drive has been obtained to continue with ongoing investigations and the work to reinstate the highway.
The road will continue to be shut for the next few weeks. The notice allows us to keep it shut until 16 November, and we will update you when we can say with more certainty when it will reopen. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience and thank people for their continued patience.
Over the past week, work has continued at the site to modernise the gullies to improve access for rodding and CCTV, remove excavated material and fill the area that has been dug out. The next phase is to prepare the surface for tarmac as well as patching work and tree maintenance.
As was mentioned in the previous update, we are progressing plans to install sensors that will monitor water levels and which will notify our staff if the road is about to flood. These sensors would be linked to flashing signage on both sides of the road warning that the route is closed.
We are continuing to liaise with partner agencies who have structures and assets at the site.
UPDATE – 28/9/23
Due to Storm Agnes, work on site has been suspended since Wednesday 27 September. Weather permitting, crews are due to return to the site tomorrow, Friday 29 September.
A fallen tree has been removed, and we will remove any further trees that are assessed as being dead, as well as carrying out landscaping works to tidy the embankment areas.
The recent wet weather has slowed repairs of the carriageway. Whilst the existing gullies were clear and operating normally at the time of the recent flood, our contractor is continuing to upgrade the gullies to a modern design which will improve access for any future jetting and CCTV work which may be required. The gully upgrade works will continue until Friday 6 October.
We have met with a consultant to discuss installing sensors that will monitor water levels and which will notify our staff if the road is about to flood. These sensors would be linked to flashing signage on both sides of the road warning that the route is closed. We have asked that these sensors are installed as soon as possible and it is our intention that the road will not reopen until this system is operational.
Due to this work, and ongoing investigations, the road will continue to be closed for the next few weeks – we will update you as and when we can say with more certainty when it will reopen. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience and thank people for their continued patience.
In our last update, we reported concerns about the potential leak from a main. It has now been identified that the water is ground water which we expect will reduce over time.
We are continuing to liaise with partner agencies who have structures and assets at the site.
UPDATE – 14/9/23
Huyton Asphalt, working on behalf of Liverpool City Council, are currently undertaking trial holes at a number of locations where the flooding occurred as part of the investigations into the cause of the flooding. It is expected that these checks will be completed by the weekend. Initial findings have shown water seeping from United Utilities pipes. The excavated holes are now being checked, to assess their stability.
The underlying ground remains saturated from the flooding as the trial holes are continuously filling with water. United Utilities have been informed of a small water leak on one of their fresh water supplies. This is being programmed in for repair and will have to be completed before the road is resurfaced.
As part of the road closure, gully replacements along the road have been installed, which is usual practice when a road is to be resurfaced.
United Utilities have remained on site to continue with their investigations, these are progressing slowly as it is not currently possible to lower a camera into the sewer successfully because of water levels within the pipes. This is because a camera cannot clearly see any potential issues when the sewer has running water above a certain height.
Network Rail will also be undertaking a structural inspection of the rail bridge and will investigate water coming from the structure, and drainage.
We apologise for any disruption that these necessary diversions are causing for residents, due to the need to ensure that the full causes and implications of this incident are expertly analysed.
What has happened since the incident on Saturday 26 August?
Merseyside Police remained in control of the site until Sunday 27 August 2023.
When the site was no longer required for the police investigation, Highways staff were notified and immediately put plans into place to secure the site and close the road.
A provisional inspection of the condition of the carriageway, footways and structures took place which showed that there had been some significant damage to both the road surface and the footway surface.
Liverpool Street Scene Limited (LSSL) checked the operation of the roadside gullies and found no issues with their operation, and that they were working as designed.
What is the condition of the road?
As part of the inspection of the road and footway surface, there were obvious signs that the floodwater had damaged not just the surface layer but had managed to get to the lower layers of the road construction, which was found to be soft, rather than its usual compacted and firm state.
Following this inspection, it was decided to keep the road closed due to the risk of voids beneath the surface which would not be evident as part of a visual inspection. The closure is to allow the road construction to drain naturally and inspections have and will be undertaken daily to assess damage. To date, only some minor movement of the road and footway surface has been noted.
We understand that United Utilities are carrying out a detailed inspection of their drainage infrastructure.
What happens next, and how long will the road be closed for?
The road has a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) in place which allows the Council to keep the road closed until 6 October.
During this period, highways staff will carry out the following work:
- Ascertain the damage below the surface through the digging of holes
- Investigate causation factors leading to the flooding
- Provide time for the underlying layers of the road surface to dry out and assess the potential of voids below the surface due to washout
- Provisionally undertake a design to repair the road and footway surface
- Look at the potential to lift the level of the road beneath the bridges to reduce the potential of flooding in the area
The site will remain securely fenced off, with signage in place to notify people of the alternative route.
What is the alternative route?
For vehicles:
Queens Drive from Allerton Rd:
Left on to Dovedale Road
Right on to Rose Lane
Right on to North Mossley Hill Road
Queens Drive from Sefton Park:
Right on to North Mossley Hill Road
Left on to Rose Lane
Left on to Dovedale
For pedestrians:
Queens Drive from Allerton Rd:
Right on to Dovedale Road
Left on to Penny Lane
Left on to North Mossley Hill Road
Queens Drive from Sefton Park:
Left on to North Mossley Hill Road
Right on to Penny Lane
Right on to Dovedale Road
