Liverpool delay Anfield Road expansion work by 'at least' 12 months

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David Lynch27 April 2020

Liverpool have confirmed that plans to expand the Anfield Road end of the club’s home ground have been delayed by 'at least' 12 months due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Reds were hopeful of starting building work on the redevelopment, which will see a further 7,000 seats added to capacity, later this year.

However, the original 18-month build schedule has been thrown into doubt by the spread of Covid-19, which has brought construction projects across the country to a halt.

Consequently, Liverpool have revised their target completion date to the summer of 2023, though they are offering no guarantees over that timescale.

The club’s chief operating officer Andy Hughes said: “We have experienced a number of delays to the planned project as a direct result of the Covid-19 lockdown.

“Given the challenges that many sectors are facing right now, including the construction, procurement and public sectors, we are taking a responsible approach to pause the project for at least 12 months.

“The complex build programme for Anfield Road is an 18 month process and needs two clear summer closed season windows in order for it to be successful. This is why we are pausing on the project for at least 12 months so the earliest we could complete the programme is summer 2023 rather than summer 2022 as originally planned. Given the planning application is no longer time critical, it is our intention to submit our planning application at some stage during the next 12 months.

“We will use this period to review and consider options. When the football calendar and the wider delays to the construction and supply chain industries begin to plateau, we will provide further updates.

“We understand this is disappointing for many as it is for us but would like to thank all our key stakeholders including local neighbours in Anfield, our supporters, the City Council and others for their great co-operation in the pre-planning stages.

“Our priority remains on the health and wellbeing of our people, the local community and supporters at this challenging time. Our thoughts are with all those affected by COVID-19.”

How it will look: The new Anfield Road end will increase capacity by 7,000
Liverpool FC

Having completed a two-stage public consultation process earlier this year, Liverpool were on the brink of submitting a planning application to the local council.

Had that been given the green light, construction was planned to begin December, with the initial work seeing a new section of stand being built behind the original.

The two segments would then have been joined in the 2022 off-season, allowing for completion in time for the new campaign.

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