Win for the Victorian Society as Liverpool zip wire blocked after our legal challenge

The plans, which had received planning permission at the end of July, would have involved a zip wire running between St Johns Beacon and the Grade II*-listed Liverpool Central Library. The Mayor’s statement comes after mounting pressure and weeks of controversy.

After a public outcry the Victorian Society mounted a legal challenge against the planning permission, originally arguing that ‘the proposed zip wire could not be in a more insensitive or inappropriate position, right in the heart of Liverpool's great historic civic buildings and monuments. The noise and movement, as well as the physical infrastructure required, would harm this important historic area. There are many places in Merseyside where a zip wire would be acceptable, but such a sensitive site is the wrong choice.’

Joe Anderson, Mayor of Liverpool, stated: ‘I have serious concerns about using this area and will not give permission for any council owned building in this area to be used for the zip wire.’

Tom Taylor, Conservation Adviser for the Victorian Society, states, ‘We are very pleased that the Mayor of Liverpool has stepped in to stop this insensitive scheme, which would have caused a lot of harm in one of Liverpool’s most important civic spaces. We hope that any future proposals for a zip wire in Liverpool will choose a more appropriate site.’

The Victorian Society welcomes this positive development, but will continue to examine ways to guarantee that this zip wire is stopped, including pressing Liverpool City Council to revoke the planning permission.