£5m revamp of Anfield and surrounding areas could start next year

The Kop at Anfield, on Walton Breck Road
-Credit: (Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)


A multi-million pound upgrade of the main route through Anfield and surrounding streets could begin next year. Liverpool Council’s cabinet is expected to agree to designs being drawn up that would allow for major highways upgrades along Walton Breck Road and the neighbouring areas to get underway in 2025.

The £300m Anfield regeneration programme first got underway back in 2014 and has expanded to include areas around Stanley Park, Walton Breck Road, the Liverpool FC stadium concourse and adjacent locations. The city council is seeking to make Anfield “a model for urban regeneration” and significant transformation, which was marked by the clearance of dilapidated Victorian terraces 20 years ago.

The new plans, to be considered by the local authority next week, will lead to an upgrading of highways and public realm across Walton Breck Road and key sites including Hodder Street and the former Four Oaks school site - the latter areas being earmarked for residential development. Highway improvements will include wider and renewed footways, new safe road crossings, reduced vehicle speed limits from 30mph to 20mph, the provision of bus shelters and additional seating, and the provision of tactile paving benefiting those with visual impairments.

READ MORE: Major change coming to Merseyrail station ahead of Everton stadium move

READ MORE: New images show progress on Spellow Hub repairs two months on

The cabinet report said: “By integrating these developments into a cohesive public realm, Liverpool Council will create more attractive, accessible, and connected spaces that encourage community interaction and improve the quality of life for residents. These projects will not only enhance the physical landscape of Anfield but also strengthen its social and economic fabric, making the area a more desirable place to live, work, and invest.”

Since the start of the regeneration plan a decade ago, the council said it has led to the creation of more than 600 new and 500 refurbished homes and a revitalised Stanley Park, highlighting the progress of its market offer launched initially as a trial in July. As part of the redevelopment proposals, a meanwhile use - a phrase used to describe the temporary use of vacant or underused space - has been established for Anfield Square, across from the stadium.

The cabinet report added: “While there may be viability challenges due to the site’s location, size, ground constraints, the aim is to develop a commercially viable project that integrates leisure and entertainment uses, including food and beverage offerings relevant for both community and stadium needs.” The announcement of the proposals moving forward comes as Liverpool FC wrote to residents living around the stadium they want to keep a portion of Anfield Road permanently shut following the completion of the Anfield Road stand extension, move the respite period when no events take place in the football off-season and seek more flexibility with events at the ground.

The letter delivered to residents by the club told them about the opening of the consultation period between the club and its neighbours but many have voiced concerns about the club potentially “breaking its promise” to reopen Anfield Road on completion of the Anfield Road stand extension.