The Northwest Development Agency (NWDA) together with English Partnerships has announced joint funding of £9 million over three years for a series of significant environmental improvements throughout the Liverpool Vision Urban Regeneration Companies area.

The environmental improvement programme, a key strategic project for Liverpool Vision, aims to improve the environment and image of the city centre by treating eyesore sites in key locations, assembling sites for development, upgrading existing key gateways, and establishing an effective regime of short and long term maintenance.

“The programme will improve the environment for those who currently live in and use the city centre, and will also help transform its image in the run up to 2008, boosting its attractiveness to developers, businesses and visitors,” said Jim Gill, Liverpool Vision chief executive.

The programme will be co-ordinated by Liverpool Vision, working in partnership with the NWDA, English Partnerships, and Liverpool City Council to enhance the physical and economic redeployment of the city centre.

Peter Hill, Head of Urban Regeneration Companies, English Partnerships, said:

“Under this new and innovative funding agreement, we will work with the NWDA and local partners to purchase and remediate land in need of environmental improvement.”

“The programme could not have been launched at a better time following Liverpool’s recent accolade as the 2008 European Capital of Culture, helping to transform it into a vibrant and aspiring city, bringing new jobs and opportunities into the area.”

Aidan Manley, Area Manager for Merseyside, NWDA, said:

“By removing environmental blight, providing high quality public open spaces and increasing the number of sites ready and available for redevelopment, this scheme will considerably improve Liverpool City Centre, both to investors, businesses and visitors.”

“I am pleased that the Agency is able to provide funding through this joint venture with English Partnerships.”