Closing The Doors On Rough Sleepers In Liverpool

The owner of the Mersey Tunnel ventilation shaft in North John Street, Merseytravel, has applied for permission to move the famous green doors at the entrances so they are level with the front of the building, a report in the Liverpool Echo has revealed.

It says the move is needed because the entrances to the Grade 2-listed building are used by homeless people and because of people urinating in the doorways, damaging the stonework. But it says it does not mean the proposal to cause offence and will listen to any comments people make.

Merseytravel has applied to Liverpool city council to move the two sets of double doors forward by almost a metre from a recessed position “so the doors sit flush with the building’s exterior walls”. The application goes on to state: “We have two major reasons for these proposed works which include health and safety and preventive maintenance. It has come to our attention that this location is being used as a place for homeless people to sleep at night; this has been witnessed and recorded by Mersey Tunnels Police.”

“We also have a problem with people urinating inside the door way spraying urine over the doors and walls. The exterior walls are made from Portland stone which is porous, the chemicals within a person’s urine will react with the stone and have a detrimental effect on this building’s structure and over time compromise the original stone work.”

“The smell is also unhygienic for people gaining access and egress to and from the building and unpleasant for people waking by. We will not be replacing any of the original fixings; we only intend to reposition the original doors.”

Tony Killen, head of asset management at Merseytravel, told the Liverpool Echo: “We sincerely apologise if the details included in the planning application have caused anyone any offence or upset as this was not our intention. Whilst Merseytravel recognises the issues surrounding homelessness we do need to ensure we can maintain access on a 24-hour basis into the North John Street ventilation station.

“The ventilation station is essential for maintaining the safety of the Queensway Tunnel providing the necessary electrical services for the supply of fresh air and the extract of exhaust fumes from the tunnel. The proposal is still in its early stage and we have only recently have made a submission to alter the access doors and will take on board all comments and feedback received”.

Tackling homelessness in the city is a priority, says Liverpool city council. They fund both the Cold Weather Centre for rough sleepers and the Whitechapel Centre’s No Second Night Out service.

If you see rough sleepers on the streets of Liverpool, call the No Second Night Out helpline on 0300 123 2041.