A move to pedestrianise a key area of the city centre will be assessed after the terrifying scenes in May
Police officers stand guard in front of the Liverpool Town Hall following an incident in Water Street
Police officers stand guard in front of the Liverpool Town Hall following an incident in Water Street (rear), on the sidelines of an open-top bus victory parade for Liverpool's Premier League title win, in Liverpool, north-west England on May 26, 2025. A car collided with a number of pedestrians in Liverpool, northern England, on May 26 evening during Liverpool FC's Premier League victory parade, police said. Police said they were contacted shortly after 6pm (1700 GMT) 'following reports of a collision between a car and a number of pedestrians' in the city centre. One man has been arrested, according to the police, who did not say whether there were any casualties. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
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Protection from “hostile” vehicles could be required in Liverpool city centre in the aftermath of the horrific scenes during Liverpool FC’s title parade. In May, as thousands of fans celebrated the Reds’ Premier League triumph, Paul Doyle wreaked havoc, driving his Ford Galaxy car into crowds walking up Water Street.
Doyle, 54, was jailed for 21 years and six months earlier this week. More than 100 pedestrians, ranging from babies to a 78-year-old woman, were hurt after being struck by the vehicle. Now, as the city council plans to further extend the pedestrianisation of Castle Street, which joins onto the area outside the Town Hall where Doyle’s rage took hold, officers are considering the need for measures to prevent it ever happening again.
New documents have revealed how Liverpool Council is seeking to turn “jewel in the crown” Castle Street into a “world class” public space. However, following May’s traumatic events, an assessment will be made as to whether mitigation measures will be required in the area known for outdoor and civic events as well as outdoor dining.
In 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Liverpool Council launched “Liverpool Without Walls”, an initiative aimed at supporting the hospitality sector by enabling businesses to expand outdoor seating and offer alfresco dining options.
On Castle Street, measures installed as part of this initiative included temporary closure to cars between 10.30am and midnight. These temporary measures remain in place, and the street is undergoing a transition from a street into what new documents have described as “vibrant pedestrianised public space.”
The local authority has now signed off on a six-figure investment to begin the drawing up of designs on how to make one of the city’s original streets a “beautiful place unique to Liverpool.” The city council has secured funding from Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to award a contract for design consultancy services.
People dining out on Castle Street
People dining out on Castle Street(Image: Andrew Teebay/Liverpool Echo)
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Terms worth £161,000 have been awarded for an as yet unnamed firm to come up with proposals for enhanced public realm improvements and pedestrianisation of the historic area. A delegated authority report confirming the decision, said initial design should seek to facilitate an increase in the levels of cycling and walking, public transport usage, and contribute to a reduction in the use of private vehicles.
The document said: “Well maintained infrastructure can improve air quality and reduce traffic congestion, supporting the city’s aim of a low carbon, connected and accessible city.” The temporary measures put in place five years ago have proven to be popular with business and people visiting the city, with the council keen to continue to support a “thriving nighttime economy in the evening hours.”
The report added: “To date, a vision for the area has been created which aspires for the Castle Street area to be a jewel in the crown of Liverpool’s emerging public realm, delivering a coherent public realm that celebrates the historic quality of the immediate area and the wider city centre. An enhanced street scene will provide a canvas for city life to thrive, offering a welcoming, characterful and active place for people to enjoy throughout the day.
Celebrating Castle Street
Celebrating Castle Street(Image: Liverpool BID)
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“The area will be a beautiful place, unique to Liverpool, and recognised globally as a benchmark in bringing culture, landscape, active movement, entertainment and history together in one place. However, to deliver on this multifaceted vision, there is a requirement to have an outstanding design concept, which can bring the vision to life.”
The city council said to bring the vision to life, “remarkable” expertise is required, including professional landscape design, civil and highways engineering and lighting design. The areas of Water Street, High Street to Exchange Flags, Brunswick Street up to Fenwick Street, Dale Street to the west side of Exchange Street and Exchange Street East will be considered in the study as part of a wider transport and traffic re-routing option, whereby resurfacing and supporting enabling works may be required.
The report also detailed how assessments were being made in light of this summer’s shocking events. It said: “A key requirement of the scheme will also be to determine the need for hostile vehicle mitigation measures, in an area known for its outdoor events, al fresco dining and civic events at the town hall.
“This requires specific expertise, which at present the council does not have sufficient resource in house to deliver, within the timescales associated with this project.”