{"id":525787,"date":"2025-10-24T23:28:14","date_gmt":"2025-10-24T23:28:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/525787\/"},"modified":"2025-10-24T23:28:14","modified_gmt":"2025-10-24T23:28:14","slug":"sixty-foot-hole-to-be-dug-in-historic-liverpool-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/525787\/","title":{"rendered":"Sixty foot hole to be dug in historic Liverpool park"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>United Utilities is to undertake a two-year project in a bid to prevent flooding<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0_Wavertree-Park-The-Mystery-and-the-United-Utilities-work-site-Photo-by-Colin-Lane.jpg\" alt=\"Wavertree Park 'The Mystery' and the United Utilities work site. Pictured resident Damien Revens-Turner. Photo by Colin Lane\" loading=\"eager\"  \/>Wavertree Park &#8216;The Mystery&#8217; and the United Utilities work site. Pictured resident Damien Revens-Turner(Image: Colin Lane\/Liverpool Echo)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">A massive water tank reaching 60ft deep is to be installed in one of Liverpool\u2019s <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/whats-on\/whats-on-news\/beautiful-parks-breathtaking-scenery-unique-32121577\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"historic parksLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">historic parks<\/a> in a building project which could take up to two years and which has prompted a backlash from neighbours.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">Survey work has begun on the installation of a huge underground storage tank at the Mystery in <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/wavertree\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Wavertree<\/a>. United Utilities is undertaking a \u00a330m project which the water company said will help reduce flooding in the area. This has been met with anger and frustration by those living across from the 104-acre site who claim the project has been \u201cdropped on\u201d their community.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">Work to install the tank \u2013 which will hold 5.5 million litres of rainwater or the equivalent of more than two Olympic sized swimming pools \u2013 is expected to get underway in the New Year for a period of up to two years.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">Damon Revans-Turner, who has lived opposite the Mystery for a decade on Grant Avenue, described the project as a \u201ccatastrophe for the whole community.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">Plant equipment has been set up on the Mystery across from Grant Avenue surrounded by a series of fences. United Utilities is completing survey work and ground investigation this month.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">The 104 acre park was given to Liverpool Corporation in 1895 by an anonymous city well-wisher \u2014 the reason why it is affectionately known as The Mystery. It has become a popular spot for runners, dog walkers and families over the years using the park.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">The tank will sit 60ft deep into the ground of the park and will be 88ft wide. United Utilities said it is working with <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/liverpool-council\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Liverpool Council<\/a> to ensure as much access to the park as possible is maintained for the public during the construction works.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">The tank is due to be completed, and the section of park re-instated, in 2028. Mr Revans-Turner said: \u201cThere was a consultation last week that we went along to to speak to officials there.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">\u201cIt\u2019s going to be big enough to put half the street in stood up in the hole. It\u2019s going to take two years to complete and they\u2019re going to dump half the rubble on the park itself.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1761348494_668_0_Wavertree-Park-The-Mystery-and-the-United-Utilities-work-site-Photo-by-Colin-Lane.jpg\" alt=\"Wavertree Park 'The Mystery' and the United Utilities work site. Photo by Colin Lane\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Wavertree Park &#8216;The Mystery&#8217; and the United Utilities work site(Image: Colin Lane\/Liverpool Echo)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">\u201cWe\u2019ll have 40 tonne trucks going up and down the road, it\u2019s crazy. It\u2019s outrageous, what the hell is going on?<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">\u201cI\u2019ll see miles of red sandstone outside my house for the next two years. When they say underground, you don\u2019t expect a massive hole.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">\u201cThe houses are going to shake, none of the businesses have been told, it\u2019s a disgrace.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">Cllr Carl Cashman, who represents the Church ward in which the park sits, said: \u201cI met with United Utilities to hear about the plans and to ensure that they listened to residents\u2019 views. At the meeting I managed to secure funding for the play equipment and benches to be upgraded.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">\u201cThe park will be exactly the same once it\u2019s been done with additional improvements. I think where there\u2019s been miscommunication is on permanent changes to the park.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">\u201cI raised this with United Utilities and asked them to be more clear in their communications. They did apologise and give me assurances that they would be.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">\u201cI plan to meet with them next week and to hopefully organise a session where residents can hear about the work and also put any concerns to them.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">To ease congestion and safeguard trees at the entrance adjacent to Grant Avenue and Smithdown Road, a new entrance is set to be built for construction traffic and ongoing tank maintenance. Steve Kenyon, wastewater business lead for Merseyside at United Utilities, said: \u201cWe know there are long standing issues of surface water flooding in the area.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">\u201cThis scheme at Wavertree Park will help to alleviate some of this by storing rainwater during periods of heavy rainfall. We\u2019re also continuing to work with a number of partners to look at how else flooding can be reduced in the area.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">Another resident who lives near the Mystery, known as Ste, said the park had been beloved by the community for years. He said: \u201cIt\u2019s used by everyone, young to old, there\u2019s joggers, and dog walkers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">\u201cThere\u2019s bats, foxes and the blackbirds that have been there for generations, they\u2019re part of the community as well. It\u2019s a community space and has been popular for so many years.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">A Liverpool Council spokesperson said: \u201cWe are working closely with United Utilities to minimise the impact on park users while necessary works to introduce an underground storm tank take place. The tank will help reduce the risk of flooding in the local area.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">\u201cPart of the park will be closed during the works, but the playground will remain open, and all planned activities and groups will continue as usual.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"United Utilities is to undertake a two-year project in a bid to prevent floodingWavertree Park &#8216;The Mystery&#8217; and&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":525788,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8815],"tags":[748,393,4884,179,14487,16,15,18682],"class_list":{"0":"post-525787","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-liverpool","8":"tag-britain","9":"tag-england","10":"tag-great-britain","11":"tag-liverpool","12":"tag-liverpool-council","13":"tag-uk","14":"tag-united-kingdom","15":"tag-wavertree"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115431743505722790","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/525787","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=525787"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/525787\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/525788"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=525787"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=525787"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=525787"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}