A four-storey building at a busy Liverpool city centre junction has been declared unsafe after a section of its exterior fell onto the pavement on Wednesday morning. Emergency services were dispatched to the corner of Bold Street and Berry Street, establishing a cordon and diverting public transport to ensure public safety.
Key Takeaways
- A piece of rendering, approximately one metre in length, fell from a building in central Liverpool.
- The incident occurred at 10:45 am on Wednesday, September 17, prompting a response from fire and police services.
- No injuries were reported, but a building surveyor subsequently deemed the structure unsafe.
- A safety cordon was established, and the Arriva 82 bus route was temporarily diverted.
Emergency Response at Busy City Junction
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service confirmed they were called to the scene at 10:45 am following reports of structural issues with the building. The property, which houses the Mee Japanese & Thai Street Food restaurant on its ground floor, had shown signs of deterioration.
Upon arrival, emergency crews found that a significant piece of rendering had detached from the building's facade and landed on the public footpath below. Firefighters immediately worked to secure the area to prevent any risk to pedestrians and motorists at the heavily used intersection.
Merseyside Police were also in attendance to assist with traffic management and to help enforce the safety cordon. The prompt and coordinated response from both services was crucial in managing the situation effectively and preventing potential harm.
A High-Traffic Location
The corner of Bold Street and Berry Street is one of Liverpool's most vibrant and frequented areas. It serves as a major hub for retail, dining, and nightlife, with thousands of pedestrians passing through daily. The incident's location underscored the potential danger posed by deteriorating building facades in densely populated urban environments.
Building Assessed and Deemed Unsafe
According to a spokesperson for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, the initial issue was identified as "loose rendering." The piece that had fallen was measured to be around a metre long, highlighting the severity of the structural weakness.
As a precaution, the pavement directly beneath the affected area was closed off, and the existing cordon was reinforced to keep the public at a safe distance. A structural engineer from Liverpool City Council was requested to conduct an expert assessment of the building's condition.
The spokesperson provided details of the operational response:
"A structural engineer was requested, and Liverpool City Council was informed, with Merseyside Police assisting with traffic management. Crews liaised with the restaurant manager of the premises situated to the ground floor of the building, before contacting the landlord."
Following a thorough inspection, the building surveyor officially deemed the building unsafe. This declaration prompted a request for a specialist team to attend the site and carry out immediate remedial work to stabilize the structure and remove any further risk.
Timeline of Events
- 10:45 am: Emergency services receive a call regarding the building's structure.
- Approx. 11:00 am: Fire and police crews arrive, establish a cordon, and close the pavement.
- Midday: A building surveyor attends the scene to conduct a professional assessment.
- Approx. 12:45 pm: The building is officially declared unsafe.
- 1:06 pm: The incident is handed over to Merseyside Police and the council, and firefighters depart the scene.
Impact on Public and Transport
The immediate consequence of the incident was the disruption to pedestrian flow and public transport. Arriva North West confirmed via its social media channels that the 82 bus service was required to follow a diversion to avoid the cordoned-off area, causing temporary delays for commuters.
While road closures were initially considered, a joint decision was made by fire and police services that they were not necessary at that time, which helped to minimize traffic congestion in the city centre. However, police officers remained at the location to manage the cordon and ensure public compliance with the safety measures.
The incident was described as a "near miss for pedestrians" by the local history account Liverpool1207 on X (formerly Twitter), which shared a photograph of the scene. This sentiment reflects the potential for serious injury had anyone been walking on that section of the pavement when the debris fell.
Safety Measures and Next Steps
With the building declared unsafe, the priority shifted to implementing measures to secure the facade. The request for a team to carry out remedial work is the first step in a process that will likely involve removing further loose material and potentially erecting protective scaffolding or netting.
In the hours following the initial incident, a metal cage was erected around the base of the building, providing a physical barrier to protect the public from any further falling material. This temporary structure will remain in place while the building's landlord arranges for the necessary repairs.
The handover from the fire service to the police and council marks a transition from an emergency response to a longer-term safety and repair operation. Liverpool City Council will now oversee the process to ensure the building is made safe and brought back into a state of good repair in accordance with public safety regulations.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of regular maintenance for older buildings, particularly those located in busy public areas. The city council and property owners are responsible for ensuring that structures do not pose a threat to the public, and this event will likely prompt further scrutiny of building safety protocols in the city.