Important drainage diversion works are set to be carried out in the area around the site of the Marine Lake Events Centre (MLEC) later this month.

Residents who live on and around the Promenade in Southport will receive letters from Dowhigh on behalf of Sefton Council and the MLEC project team alerting them to potential disruption while these works are carried out by United Utilities. 

The works, set to begin later this month (February) are to divert critical drainage infrastructure away from the MLEC site to allow for demolition of the former Southport Theatre and Convention Centre (STCC) to commence later this year.

Cllr Christine Howard, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, said: “The drainage diversion works are a key stage of the MLEC project because it will allow us to begin the demolition stage of the project in a safe and efficient way.

“In order for the works to be carried out safely it will be necessary to close part of the Promenade’s carriageway and I know this may cause some inconvenience to residents, which I can only apologise for.

“We have worked closely with partners and Sefton’s traffic management team to put in place a detailed diversion plan to reduce disruption as much as we can and I would like to thank everyone for their patience while these works are carried out.” 

To ensure disruption to residents and commuters is kept to a minimum the closures will be carried out in phases beginning with the Northbound carriageway and then the Southbound carriageway once the drainage works progress to the latter stages. Works are expected to begin in Mid-February and last until May.

Cllr Howard added: “Alongside these works, other projects related to MLEC are getting underway over the next couple of months including the installation of a floating raft on the Marine Lake to provide alternative resting and loafing habitat for various species of birds.

“We’re also going to be undertaking the removal of decorative vegetation alongside the existing STCC so that demolition can commence.

“Following the completion of the Marine Lake Events Centre, we will be replacing any decorative vegetation as part of the new and improved public realm works.”