Marc Waddington Of The Liverpool Echo Gets It Spot On.

Fed up with Liverpool Echo Advertorials by Alastair Machray & Co at Trinity 'Smoking' Mirrors at Oldham Hall Street we find it surprising that this bit of writing escapes the censors. We don't have to add to it just click on the picture.
Now maybe Marc could continue with the good work and look into the planning corruption that is going on right before his eyes.
Alastair Machray is in charge of the third rate journo's who have been turning a blind eye to the planning corruption while being spoon fed by the property developers PR companies. Shame on you Mr Machray....well done Marc lets have some more.

Cunard Cruise Terminal Cock Up. Is Joe Anderson Out Of Control?

You could not make this up. Liverpool's Mayor, who David Cameron said "Gets things done" has bought a White Elephant with our money. 

Anyone with half a brain could have told him that the Cunard Building would not work as a Cruise Terminal. It is easy to work out how can you have a terminal half a mile away from the landing stage. How will you get the clients on board.........by magic carpet. 

Today Marc Waddington, and a huge part of this problem, Echo shipping correspondent Peter Elson write about the collapse of the idea. 

This idea should never have got going. 

Only Joe Anderson sycophant,Peter Elson kept pushing, at one time, during an interview about the Cunard takeover, on Radio Merseyside he called Anderson Liverpools Prince Charming, (sic)

 Anderson went with it, hook line and stinker, sensing great PR headlines. 

Wayne gave Elson the idea to run a Daily Post campaign to start cruises at the new cruise terminal after it was doomed to be a turnaround facility. And even put a plan forward to develop the site of the current cruise customs tent.

 We now have to accuse the press for its lack of educated and joined up thinking in this whole sorry saga that is The Cunard cock Up..

It is even more ironic that the very press who have forgotten about Liverpool being on the World Heritage In Danger list now print reasons for the Cunard Cock Up as harming the World Heritage Site.

Liverpool Confidential writes; 

http://www.liverpoolconfidential.co.uk/News-and-Comment/Cunard-cruise-terminal-hope-dead-in-the-water

LIVERPOOL Mayor Joe Anderson last night confirmed his dreams of creating a stunning cruise terminal departure lounge in the riverfront Cunard Building have been torpedoed by strict security controls.

But the mayor defended his £10m purchase of the one time headquarters of the world’s best known shipping line.

Instead the one-time sailor and his team will have to go back to the drawing board to find a replacement for the temporary, marquee-like check-in area close to the cruise terminal.

 

It seems the logistics of moving passengers from A to Sea would not only have cost millions of pounds, it would also compromise what is the epicentre of Liverpool’s World Heritage Site.

Monorail

 

Things have changed since the days when first class passengers arrived at what was Cunard’s first class passenger lounge before strolling over to the Princes Landing Stage to board their ocean-going liners. These days you have to go through a massive security check before they’ll even let you set foot in the cruise terminal.

 

Border controls, now stricter than ever, pose a problem for a check-in facility without a secure link to the gangway of departing liners.

 

Various suggestions – even a monorail – have been put forward as a way of meeting new maritime security regulations.  It is a wonder they didn’t even throw in the popular Church Street sky-ride as a potential carrier of cruise line travellers.

 

Maritime consultants Royal Haskoning were commissioned by the city council to carry out a feasibility study to explore the potential of using the ground floor of the Cunard Building as a cruise liner terminal facility.

 

Their report, due to be released at the end of this month, will reveal a range of options could cost anything between £5m and £60m.Mayor Anderson said all of the options put forward were based on the requirements of TRANSEC and Border Control and include everything from basic covered walkways to a monorail for transporting passengers. 

 

The Mayor commented: “We have, in addition to cost, to be mindful of the fact that we do not want to do anything that impacts on the World Heritage site the building is on. In light of these findings it is clear we will not be able to progress with this plan.

What a Cock Up. Joe Anderson says they are going to bring hosts of tenants to the Cunard Buildings, when half of Liverpool's historic buildings in the locality are half empty and the reason the Pension fund sold it in the first place is that it was proving a dead duck to them.

Mersey Muckraker-Digging The Dirt On Liverpool

A new website has started up that could prove to be a grateful addition to all of us that wish to see the corrupted political system be held to account. What chance do we have with Marc Waddington being edited by David Bartlett being edited by Alaistar "Burger and Ships" Machray.
What chance does Joe Public have of understanding the way the Liverpool media works. Those of us who wish to inform the populace of the way the system is being run around the council and its property developing mates hope, It may prove a welcome addition.http://merseymuckraker.co.uk/author/mersey-muckraker/


Stella Who http://merseymuckraker.co.uk/2014/03/news/stella-who/#more-12 Lindsay Ashworth and his gal' get Peeled.

It also draws questions about apparantly harmless websites such as Sevenstreets, that are, wrongly,  trusted by Liverpools facebook generation, as Mersey Muckraker puts it SevenStreets are an online culture rag popular amongst Liverpool’s bespectacled hipsters.  http://merseymuckraker.co.uk/2014/03/news/slaves-to-marketing/#more-61



It may be worth a further look.

5-7 Bridgewater Street To Be Demolished-How Many More Historic Structures Can Liverpool Afford To Lose?

 How much more of Liverpool’s Mercantile and Maritime history can we afford to lose.

We still have some old warehouses that are unique parts of our Maritime history in the Baltic Triangle. Some of them are deliberately targeted by developers.

Liverpool’s planning department have three functions accept. Process and pass, any planning application with a disregard for its history and its potential future use.
What makes this application unique is that it is next to a listed building.

Developers have destroyed most of the block on purpose.

It I easier to build boring bland shoe boxes apparently.

The building owners of 5-7 Bridgewater street have let them fall into disrepair.
In fact they are working on the demolition before the planning application has even been passed.
They are knocking the building down now. So confident are thy of it being approved.

13F/206 And once again its Liz Blake from the developers friends, Liverpool City Council Planing Department who is dealing with another historic building, as if is not there, with no disregard for history at all.
Are, Liverpool city planners colluding and conspiring with property developers?

That is a question part of something we were asked the other day. As part of a more wide ranging investigation into council wrong doing..

We go one further than that we say the whole system is corrupted from the Mayor down.
Demolition by stealth is far too common. Its easy to CPO poor people in the Welsh Streets but there is no engagement to tackle property developers. Just look what Neptune Developments, who are council sponsors are letting happen to the Futurist in Lime Street.

This actual area has been subject to further stealth demolition. These pictures are from the other end of the block and now the listed building in between, will be claimed as not worth keeping.

Marc Waddington at the Echo was made aware of this stealthing and did not give a damn.

 http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2011/08/another-hacking-scandal-right-in-front.html

What are the local press doing?……….nothing turning up at planning meetings or writing about it after the event?

Is Liverpool’s conservation office a joke?

Just what do they do?

 Do they exist?

This is what Waddington and Stinky Ink Bartlett, now promoted, should be looking into.

http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/liverpool-conservation-office-not-fit.html

We at LPT have been fighting, and reporting on this area for years

http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2010/04/57-9-bridgewater-street-up-for.html

While properties lay in various states of decay the developers now move in to homogenise the area.

Especially the culpable Dusanj brothers who sacked the entire brewery workforce and are being sponsored by the council to do this.

http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2009/10/liverpools-baltic-triangle-to-become.html

Come back Derek Hatton all is forgiven this new Labour crew make you look like an angel.
http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2009/10/liverpools-baltic-triangle-to-become.html

And all the time they keep on telling us the Baltic Triangle is going to be a cultural quarter.

Yes we know cultural quarter turns into a triangle.

We confirm today that the only bit of culture in Joe Anderson’s office is in the yoghurt in the fridge in the staff room canteen.
We cant lose any more old structures, there have been too many already needlessly lost.
http://northgate.liverpool.gov.uk/PlanningExplorer17/Generic/StdResults.aspx?PT=Planning%20Applications%20On-Line&SC=Application%20Number%20is%2013F/2306&FT=Planning%20Application%20Search%20Results&XMLSIDE=/PlanningExplorer17/SiteFiles/Skins/Liverpool_WIP/Menus/PL.xml&XSLTemplate=/PlanningExplorer17/SiteFiles/Skins/Liverpool_WIP/xslt/PL/PLResults.xslt&PS=10&XMLLoc=/PlanningExplorer17/generic/XMLtemp/goczy34500jjriny5uaxh3e3/c20c4653-286d-493a-80d2-6400e2be8f7b.xml

You can see the application here.

Should Merseytravel Be Investigated By The Police?

That is a question we were asked the other day.

It now transpires that Herr Director Neil Scales sanctioned the purchase of a load of tat and bric a brac that had some vague relationship to the Beatles for 2 million quid of your money. See todays Weekly Ghost.
This was public cash.

Marc Waddington, now unshackled from the ambitious David Bartlett, who has been promoted, has done some good work lately.

Bartlett was very fortunate to take over Larry Neild’s phone who had been at the Echo for years.

We spoke to Bartlett who is now Andy Kelly’s assistant, on numerous occasions, sent him emails and questions to how Miserytravel’s finances were being run.
What did he do…..well not very much really.

Now Marc Waddington reveals how a further investigation into the running off the Miserytravel Gravy Train is to take place after more revealing allegations.

This is public money that has been used as frippery by the Directors of Miserytravel and it has gone on for decades.

Andy Kelly was a reporter when the Tram fiasco took place where Scales and Co wasted millions on steel tram lines that were never used. http://www.liverpoolcultureblog.co.uk/2009/07/merseytram-off-the-rails-for-good/

Neil Scales was the Moron who cut up U534 in a savage act of barbaric vandalism that renders it virtually worthless. http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/why-did-merseytravel-spend-42-million.html

Costing us many millions

http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/neil-scales-and-merseytravel-spend.html

Right in front of the noses of the local press. http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2010/06/u-534-cut-up-into-five-pieces-by-neil.html

In fact the local press almost welcomed it. They flirted with Scales publishing what his PR company told them. They took advertisments from Merseytravel.
We believe, the disgraceful October Communications now Aurora Media were PR for Mersetravel at one stage.
Who Larry Nield went on to work for effectivly becoming PR for Scales & Co.

Isn't it strange the way it all goes around in Circles. October PR for Neptune Developments.....who build the Black Coffins on Mann Island.
They were commisioned by Liverpool Vision and David Wade-Smith who was Director of Liverpool Chamber of Commersce and cost the taxpayer 6.5 million in a tragic team up with Merseytravel.
 Neil Scales then becomes Liverpol Chamber Commerce Director.
Merseytravel move into the black coffins costing the taxpayer a fortune.......No wonder Private Eye call Liverpool Murkeyside.

Now Scales has buggered off to Australia….how convenient is that.

http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/neil-scales-buggers-off-to-australia.html

Where is he to anser question about his decisions.
http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/david-wade-smith-costs-taxpayer.html

Scales was mates with David Wade-Smith, one of Joe Andersons trusted advisors.

And why did Anderson not argue out the Miserytravel question when Councillor Dowd was under investigation?

http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2011/08/merseytravel-mark-dowd-and-his-expense.html


His legal team tried to gag us. Maybe Louise Outram head of Legal services at Miserytravel should answer a few questions too?

http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/merseytravel-try-to-gag-us-we-will-not.html

Miserytravel wasted a fortune on South Parkway Station.
 The London trains cant stop there because after a 25million refurbishment the platform was not long enough http://www.liverpoolcultureblog.co.uk/2009/07/merseytram-off-the-rails-for-good/

The clowns even wanted to buy Ringo’s House http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2011/01/9-madryn-street-ringos-house-why-knock.html


In 2008 when they were paying 2 million for a load of Lennon bric a bra they were also commissioning art…well that’s not what most people would call it.

http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2009/07/liverpool-european-capital-ofbad.html
 Ken Dodd with a kebab at Lime Street station as public sculpture.

You have to be a comedian to live here.

FERRY TERMINAL
So there is an investigation into how 2 million was wasted but the real question is how did Miserytravel spent 11 million quid on a Terminal Ferry Building that won the Carbuncle Cup award as the worst designed building of 2009.

http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2009/08/liverpool-wins-carbuncle-cup.html


http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2009/10/liverpools-pier-head-and-its-new.html


Those who were present at the Planning committee meeting when plans were passed, may recall how Doreen Jones, the Doyenne of World Heritage disaster, passed the plans, saying she had been blackmailed into doing so.
 What did that mean?
 Larry Neild reported the committee meeting for the Echo.

More investigations need to be done on this World Heritage White Elephant that the Lennon tat was placed in.
Why did we need a Beatles Museum in a Ferry Terminal.

 But will the local press continue their reporting and do some investigating, or just let it lie on the bottom shelf until someone else does the work for them.

SHOULD THE POLICE INVESTIGATE?

Kings Waterfront Exhibition Centre and Hotel-More Boring Bland Boxes Next to the Albert Dock.

Today we reproduce a recent extract from Correspondent see Scriblings Jottings and Musings on the right hand roll of bloggers we trust.
Writing about the horrendous plans for Kings Dock Exhibition Centre, thrust on the public by Malcolm Kennedy and his willing lap dog Marc Waddington........where do they get these comedians from.
Here is one they did earlier. http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/cllr-malcolm-kennedy-spins-marc.html
And another http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/councillor-malcolm-kennedy-manipulating.html
http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/peel-holdings-running-liverpool-city.html


What has Malcolm Kennedy actually done?


The awful plans look like they are done by a student and here is an extract from a recent email and guess what they are being touted by a graduate.

" You will no doubt be aware of the proposals to develop an Exhibition Centre and Hotel at the Kings Waterfront, to the south of ACC Liverpool.

As you have an interest in the adjoining land, we would like to invite you to come to our public consultation exhibition, which is being held on Friday 8th and Saturday 9th February at ACC Liverpool. This is a pre-application consultation to which members of the public and local residents and businesses are being invited. The details are included in the attached invitation. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further information regarding the project or the event."

Kind Regards

Ian Ford

Graduate Planner

Monday, February 04, 2013


Metropolis On The Mersey



One can only surmise that Big Al Machray & his minions at the Oldham Echo saw the silent movie classic Metropolis some years back & decided that Fritz Lang's 1927 production ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7j8Ba9rWhUg  ) should act as the blueprint for the city of Liverpool & its port in particular.

That's the only conclusion to be drawn from the fawning adoration bestowed by Oldham Hall Street on yet another plan to "transform" the Kings Dock (http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2013/02/01/futuristic-masterplan-to-transform-liverpool-s-king-dock-revealed-100252-32722917/
 ). A fetish for a futuristic dystopia would normally be sufficient reason to consult a psychiatrist. In Big Al's case, however, it qualifies him to edit a paper whose capacity for self-delusion & denial would impress Saddam's former spin doctor, Comical Ali.

The Echo's piece has been penned by Marc Waddington, who enthuses:

"Up to 1,000 jobs could be created by the new masterplan for the waterfront area, which will include apartments, offices, hotels & leisure complexes."

Here we go again with Echo buzz phrases. "Up to" a thousand jobs, you say? So it could be considerably fewer than that. Going by previous instances, it would be sensible to view that phrase as, well, imaginative. Additionally, the use of "could" is a sure indication that Oldham Hall Street is doing its usual trick of whistling in the wind while the icy blast of a triple-dip recession, coupled with the cuts, freezes Merseyside more effectively than any meteorological factors.

Then there's the artist's impression of what the Kings Dock "could" (copyright Oldham Hall Street) look like, &, yes, it is truly hideous, a fact not lost on a few commenters. "BigEnd" (nice moniker) declares:

"This looks like the lovechild of the Malmaison Hotel and the new museum. With a dash of DNA from the ferry terminal. Please -- are there any architects out there with some sense of style? We deserve better than this."

Yes, BigEnd, we certainly do. Alas, we won't get it while the Oldham Echo champions such monstrosities.

Another commenter (Stewart f43) asks:

"Is it just me, or do these designs look like something out of Star Wars? 'Brutalist' isn't the expression for this -- try 'plain ugly'. Was nothing learned from the awful old Pier Head design?"

To which one must sadly reply that nothing will ever be learned by the latter-day Bourbons who hail such grotesque vanity projects as graceful adornments to the city's Botoxed waterfront.

So who is behind this plan that the Echo is keen to promote? Well, it's the work of the Homes & Communities Agency (HCA), whose chief executive Deborah McLaughlin is quoted in Waddington's piece. However, she cautions:

"No specific figure has been put on investment in the overall development plan, but it is likely to run into hundreds of millions of pounds."

That's conveniently ambiguous, wouldn't you say? Moreover, it beggars belief to view the project itself as viable in the near to mid-term future when the economy is, at best becalmed in the ConDems' Doldrums, & any lending from the banks for infrastructure projects is a bit like Liverpool's chances of a Champions League place: nice in theory, but impossible in practice.

The role of messenger is crucial in cases such as this. As messenger, the Oldham Echo yet again shows a dispiriting willingness to publish what is effectively a puff-piece for HCA. The Echo is well-versed in promoting the interests of unaccountable, unelected business interests & their schemes to "regenerate" the region (do I hear the name Peel Holdings faintly in the distance?). That Waddington's article is a puff-piece is apparent from reading HCA's own blurb about the project (http://www.homesandcommunities.co.uk/news/plan-transform-kings-dock-liverpool ), the use of terms such as "transform" & "masterplan" eerily evident in the HCA piece as well as a suitably supportive quote from Cllr Malcolm Kennedy, the city council's cabinet member for regeneration. Cllr Kennedy has been vocal in his view that the "development" of the Lime Street area has been good for the city. Those with aesthetic taste would beg to differ.

The waterfront has been disfigured by supposedly grand projects which say more about the backers of such schemes than any PR blurbs could hope to obscure. Those schemes have veered between farce & wilful civic vandalism (http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/mann-island-has-structural-problems.html
& http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/unesco-state-of-conservation-report-1st.html

Fritz Lang's classic was supposed to act as a cautionary tale against the dangerous cocktail of hubris & technology; the apparent "progress" being merely a mirage. It's a lesson the civic goons, the Oldham Echo & the business interests they eagerly acclaim are destined to ignore.