Central Docks Liverpool Waters One Year One

One Year On: Major Progress at Liverpool Waters’ Largest Neighbourhood as Central Docks Infrastructure Works Transform Former Docklands

One year after the ceremonial groundbreaking marked the start of construction, Peel Waters has revealed significant progress on the £81.1 million Central Docks infrastructure project at Liverpool Waters, with major works now transforming one of the city’s most ambitious regeneration sites.

The essential infrastructure programme, being delivered by leading contractor GRAHAM, is laying the foundations for the future Central Docks neighbourhood, a 26-acre waterfront destination that will become the largest of Liverpool Waters’ five neighbourhoods.

Backed by £25.9 million direct investment from Peel Waters and £55.2 million of funding from Homes England, the works are unlocking land for approximately 2,350 new homes, alongside extensive public realm, green space, commercial opportunities and new waterfront amenities.

WATCH the Central Docks Liverpool Waters One Year On progress video here

1,300 tonnes of historic dockside cobbles, equivalent to the weight of around 170 double-decker buses, have been carefully recovered

Since works began, teams have excavated, processed and repurposed approximately 78,000m³ of material across the site, installed almost 20 kilometres of utility ducting, delivered around 2.7 kilometres of drainage infrastructure, constructed bridge foundations and installed significant new highways and public realm. More than 1,640 metres of kerbing and 1,400m² of paving have already been completed, while over 1,300 tonnes of historic dockside cobbles, equivalent to the weight of around 170 double-decker buses, have been carefully recovered for reuse across the development, helping preserve the character of Liverpool’s maritime heritage.

The scale of the transformation is already visible across the neighbourhood, with infrastructure taking shape that will support future residential, commercial and community development for generations to come.

Play areas, parkour, pop-up markets and more than 3,000 new trees

Central Docks sits at the centre of the wider Liverpool Waters masterplan and will be anchored by the future five-acre Central Park, one of Liverpool city centre’s largest new green spaces, creating a new destination for residents, workers and visitors alike. The park will be fully inclusive and designed around a series of connected zones – ranging from quiet seating overlooking the canal and heritage-salvaged features, to open lawn social spaces, play provision for children aged three to 15, sports courts, parkour equipment for teenagers, and flexible event spaces for pop-up markets and performances. At the centre of the park will be a new café pavilion, offering indoor and outdoor seating and providing a hub for community activity, with the flexibility to host events, gatherings and seasonal programming throughout the year.

Peel Waters have ensured nature and wellbeing are integral to the design, with more than 3,000 new trees to be planted across Central Docks, alongside extensive planting, shaded seating, dog-friendly areas and spaces for reflection, social interaction and connection to the water.

Along the emerging waterfront routes, more than 650m² of reclaimed cobbles have already been laid along Dock Wall Walk, alongside new paving, landscaping infrastructure and tree pits that will help create attractive pedestrian routes throughout the future neighbourhood.

The project’s commitment to responsible construction has been recognised through an exceptional 99% score under the Considerate Constructors Scheme

Importantly, the infrastructure works are now creating a series of development-ready plots across the neighbourhood. Peel Waters is actively engaging with developers, investors, registered providers and funding partners to bring forward a diverse mix of homes including private sale, build-to-rent, affordable and later living opportunities.

Beyond the physical transformation taking place on site, the Central Docks project is helping create opportunities for local people and future generations. Over the past year, the project team has worked closely with education providers, community organisations and industry partners to support apprenticeships, student placements and careers engagement activities. Initiatives have included supporting The City of Liverpool College’s T-Level programme, providing practical industry experience for students from Liverpool John Moores University, partnering with PLACED to inspire young people aged 11-25 to explore careers in the built environment, and welcoming participants from the LFC Foundation’s Pathway to Work programme onto site. The project’s commitment to responsible construction has also been recognised through an exceptional 99% score under the Considerate Constructors Scheme.

Chris Capes, Liverpool Waters Development Director at Peel Waters, said:

“A year ago we celebrated the start of works at Central Docks. Twelve months later, we’re seeing real and substantial progress on the ground across what is the largest neighbourhood within Liverpool Waters.”

“Projects of this scale start with the infrastructure that people don’t always see, but it is this investment that makes everything else possible. Every metre of drainage installed, every utility connection delivered and every bridge structure completed is helping create the framework for an entirely new waterfront community.”

“Central Docks will deliver approximately 2,350 homes alongside a major city park, new public spaces and opportunities for businesses to invest and grow. As these works continue, we’re creating development-ready plots and are already in active discussions with developers, investors and funding partners interested in helping deliver the next phase of the neighbourhood.”

“The opportunity here is exceptional. We continue to welcome conversations with organisations that share our ambition to create one of the UK’s most exciting waterfront destinations.”

While the enabling works have progressed at Central Docks, momentum has continued across the wider Liverpool Waters development.

During the past year, Everton Football Club has completed its first full year operating from its new Hill Dickinson Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, firmly establishing the northern waterfront as a major visitor destination. Elsewhere, demolition works have commenced within the King’s Dock neighbourhood, Princes Dock has welcomed the opening of Vibora Liverpool Waters, the UK’s first floating padel destination, Wyld Sauna has expanded with a second floating sauna installation, and Starlight Investments’ 31-storey, 278-home build-to-rent (BTR) residential tower has been completed and opened.

Liverpool Waters has also continued to attract businesses to its growing commercial space, while Liverpool Cruise Port has enjoyed another successful season, welcoming internationally recognised cruise operators and thousands of visitors into the city.

Alastair Lewis GRAHAM Contracts Director said:

“GRAHAM is delivering the essential infrastructure that will unlock the regeneration of this historic area of Liverpool’s waterfront. In our first year on site, we have installed almost 20 kilometres of utility ducting, laid 2.7 kilometres of drainage, and completed the foundations for new bridge structures. This vital work is transforming former dockland into development-ready sites, creating the infrastructure needed to support the delivery of approximately 2,350 new homes.

“The project is also generating meaningful opportunities for local people. Through partnerships with colleges, universities and community organisations across the city, we are helping young people gain valuable site experience and develop a greater understanding of the diverse career opportunities available within the construction industry. As the new neighbourhood emerges, enhanced walking and cycling connections, together with attractive public spaces, will create new ways for residents and visitors to access, enjoy, and reconnect with Liverpool’s waterfront.”

Looking ahead, several significant milestones are scheduled over the coming months, including installation of the new pedestrian bridge, completion of the screening chamber demolition works and continued infrastructure delivery across the wider site.

The Central Docks infrastructure project is expected to complete in 2028, paving the way for the delivery of thousands of new homes and a new chapter in Liverpool’s waterfront regeneration story.

To find out more about Central Docks visit: Central Docks. – Liverpool Waters

CENTRAL DOCKS: ONE YEAR ON BY NUMBERS

£81.1m infrastructure investment

£55.2m funding from Homes England

£25.9m investment from Peel Waters

26-acre neighbourhood

2,350 future homes unlocked

5-acre Central Park

78,000m³ of material remediated and reused

19,650 linear metres of utility ducting installed

2,700 linear metres of drainage installed

244 utility chambers installed

101 manholes constructed

1,640 linear metres of kerbing installed

1,400m² of paving completed

650m² of reclaimed cobbles already laid

1,300 tonnes of historic cobbles recovered for reuse

New road bridge structure installed

Pedestrian bridge installation scheduled for October 2026