Yahoo News New ferry terminal in Liverpool city centre to open tomorrow
The new £70m Isle of Man Ferry Terminal in Liverpool will welcome its first passengers on Tuesday.
Work began on the terminal at Princes Half Tide Dock in Liverpool city centre in 2019, with a planned completion date of summer 2021. Delays have seen the Isle of Man Government-funded project’s completion pushed back and its overall costs rise to £70m.
After the many delays, the terminal will open and will welcome its first passengers tomorrow (June 25) when the afternoon voyage aboard the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company's fast-craft Manannan arrives on Merseyside. The Douglas to Liverpool sailing will leave the island at 3pm and is scheduled to arrive at 5.45pm.
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The Isle of Man Government’s Infrastructure Minister Tim Crookall MHK said: "Bringing the new terminal and its associated infrastructure into full use has been hugely anticipated and will soon become part of our regular travelling experience."
Minister Crookall added: "Having visited the site at various stages during its development, I know much of the heavy and complex work that’s been undertaken will go unseen, but that passengers will appreciate such comfortable surroundings within a modern facility".
The new terminal has a cafe in the departure lounge, but it is only accessible to passengers who are checked in. Those arriving by foot can access the new facility by a dedicated bridge that connects Princes Dock with Central Dock. Drivers are advised to use Jesse Hartley Way.
The site, which is part of the Liverpool Waters project, has been hit by spiralling costs and many delays. In March, the Isle of Man's Minister for Enterprise Tim Johnston MHK told the ECHO that the terminal should be up and running for the TT motorbike racing event, which began on June 1. However, this did not happen.
In the meantime, ferries between Liverpool and the tiny crown dependency in the Irish Sea have continued to sail from the Pier Head's ferry terminal, which is under a kilometre from the new base. From tomorrow, they will use the new, bespoke facility at Princes Half Tide Dock.
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