Connected by two road tunnels, one rail tunnel and the famous Ferry across the Mersey, Liverpool and the Wirral are like siblings, with all the love that brings, and the rivalry too.
Now, a community project on the western shore of the River Mersey is helping the Wirral to send a message of love to Liverpool this Valentine’s Day.
Robertson North West, part of the £450m turnover infrastructure group Robertson, is constructing a £5.5m operations and maintenance facility in Kings Wharf, Seacombe for global offshore wind leader, DONG Energy.
Both businesses wanted to work with the local community to design a unique hoarding that would surround the site during construction.
A group of students from Wirral Met College worked with senior design lecturer, Mike O’Shaughnessy from Liverpool John Moores University and poet Nathan Jones, and contributed text and poetry to compliment Mike’s 80ft graphic that could be seen from the Mersey’s waterfront. ‘This Beautiful Place’, showcases the love and pride they have for the area.
With love in the air, ‘This Beautiful Place’ hoarding has been unveiled at a special Valentine’s event, with representatives from Wirral Council, Liverpool Enterprise Partnership and Liverpool John Moores University, amongst others.
Mike O’Shaughnessy from the Liverpool School of Art and Design said: “It has been a pleasure to be part of a project that has brought two communities even closer together.
“The enthusiasm from everyone, especially the students, has resulted in a magnificent display that shows what a close relationship Liverpool and the Wirral has.”
The design will be on display in front of DONG Energy’s new operations and maintenance centre, situated on the banks of the Mersey, directly in the middle of the two areas. It will serve DONG Energy’s two offshore windfarms in the area, Burbo Bank and Burbo Bank Extension. Together they can produce enough renewable electricity to meet the annual demands of approximately 310,000 UK homes.
Natasha Nanuck, Stakeholder Advisor at DONG Energy said: “This hoarding truly is a community project. It is the result of businesses, students and artists working together and appreciating the communities they live and work in. We are proud to be part of these communities.
“When operational, this building will become a prominent feature on the Mersey riverfront and it’s great that during construction we are able to share people’s love for the area.”
Brian Todd Managing Director, Robertson Construction England, said: “This community project has highlighted the special connection that Liverpool and the Wirral has, and this has been showcased via this inspiring graphic created by the community, for the community.
“This whole infrastructure project is changing the literal and metaphorical landscape in this coastal community of Merseyside and we are proud to be a part of it.”
Once operational, the new facility will provide the global offshore company a base for 45 full-time staff. The hoarding will stay in place until construction completes
