An iconic piece of transport heritage has returned to the streets of Liverpool city centre for the first time in over six decades following a major public realm restoration project.
Visitors can now enjoy a closer view of the recently reinstated Queensway Tunnel Monument, with the new public space at Old Haymarket creating a welcoming focal point in the heart of the city and appreciate this important piece of the city’s history.
Improvements at Old Haymarket, at the Liverpool entrance of the tunnel, have transformed a key city centre space into a more accessible and welcoming space, with new landscaping and seating celebrating the area’s significant role in the city’s rich heritage and civic identity.
Resurrecting Lost Architectural Icons to Ignite Pride
Alongside these improvements, historic features that once formed part of the original tunnel entrance have been restored.
This includes the conservation of the two Art Deco-style toll booths, preserving their distinctive architectural character using traditional materials and techniques.
Also making a welcome return is the site’s mosaic, made from Venetian glass, alongside a new bronze tactile map of the tunnel network, providing an accessible and interactive way for visitors to explore the Queensway Tunnel’s history while enhancing the character of this important civic space.
Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, said:
“The Queensway Tunnel is one of the defining engineering achievements of our city region’s history, and the monument that marked its construction stood as a symbol of the ambition and confidence that shaped Liverpool.
“It’s about restoring some of our lost cultural assets, investing in public art and the return of civic pride, and is stands as a beacon of hope for our future.”
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When the Queensway Tunnel first opened in 1934, two identical monuments designed by Herbert Rowse, the architect behind the tunnel, stood at either side of the Mersey in Liverpool and Birkenhead.
The Liverpool-based monument was removed in the 1960s following major road layout changes around the tunnel entrances.
Its return marks a celebration of the city’s proud transport history, combining modern engineering with Rowse’s Neo-Classical and Art Deco design legacy, while supporting improvements to the surrounding public space.
The black marble-clad columns, each topped with gilded lamps, were constructed not only to illuminate the entrances but also to symbolise the grandeur and significance of the project.
The new monument has been engineered using reinforced concrete, polished to closely resemble the original black granite used in the 1930s.
The reconstruction preserves the authenticity and aesthetic of the original while incorporating modern materials and construction techniques.
Roads and Buses Minister, Simon Lightwood, said:
“Our historic landmarks tell the story of the communities they serve, which is why it is great to see Liverpool’s iconic Queensway Tunnel monument reinstated.
“As well as restoring people’s pride in their community, we are backing Liverpool City Region with £37.5m in Government funding as part of our efforts to boost connections in the region and improve journeys up and down the country.”
This latest work forms part of a wider programme of investment by the Combined Authority across the Liverpool City Region to revitalise historic assets, improve public spaces and support long‑term regeneration.
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