Isle of Man Ferry Terminal in Liverpool Okayed

Construction of a new ferry terminal linking Liverpool with the Isle of Man has been approved by the city's council.

The terminal, which will replace the current facility on the Pier Head, is set to be built on at Princes Half Tide Dock just north of the city centre.  The facility is due to open in late 2020, subject to Tynwald approval of funding for the project.

It will mean a ferry linking the island will continue to come to Liverpool , and is set to be run by the Steam Packet Company.

The news has been welcomed by Chief Minister Howard Quayle MHK, who said: "Gaining planning consent is brilliant news, and the next step in delivering this vital project. The need to secure such a strategically important asset was acknowledged in the Programme for Government and we now look forward to seeing the Island’s new terminal take shape."

He added: "My thanks go to everyone who has been involved in enabling the project to reach this stage – with the promenade project now well under way and the Steam Packet purchased, this administration is proving it is getting things done for the long-term benefit of the Isle of Man. This is the first time that the Isle of Man Government has owned property in the UK so it really is a major step forward."

The terminal will be constructed at Princes Half-Tide Dock, 675 metres downriver of the current Pier Head facility. It will sit within Peel Land and Property’s Liverpool Waters, the £5 billion regeneration scheme which is transforming 60 hectares of the city’s north docks, including the development of numerous residential, commercial and leisure facilities across five distinct neighbourhoods.

Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer MHK said: "With the new Sea Services Agreement due to be finalised in June and planning approval for the new terminal now secure, this news will allow residents and businesses to make plans with confidence. The Department has worked closely with the Isle of Man Steam Packet to deliver this project, and this has helped strengthen an already solid working relationship. Importantly, the new terminal will enable the Isle of Man Government to have full control over its lifeline sea links to the United Kingdom."