Demolition work is continuing on the major project to pull down the old Royal Liverpool Hospital.
New ECHO images, taken today, show large plant machinery working to pull the former hospital site apart. Work began on the exterior of the project towards the end of July with a range of machinery being used to help break down the enormous brutalist structure.
Workers had already started on breaking down the interior of the former hospital since the move to the new state of the art facility next door last autumn.
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Since that move, the Liverpool University Hospital Trust says that extensive decommissioning and preparatory work has been taking place, paving the way for the demolition project to get underway.
DSM Demolition, specialist demolition contractors, have been appointed to carry out the work which is expected to conclude in early 2026 following demolition of the old main hospital building and earthworks remediation of the site ready for future redevelopment.
So far large chunks of concrete have been removed from the sides of the building. The former entrance remains intact but a large perimeter of hoardings has been constructed around the site.
The old Royal building opened in Prescot Street 1978 and served the city until its replacement finally opened in the winter of 2022. The new facility, which lies next to its predecessor, had originally been supposed to open in 2017, but huge delays – mainly stemming from the collapse of construction giant Carillion – saw that pushed back by five years.
The new facility is now up and running. It welcomed its first patients in October 2022 with procedures and departments gradually being phased across in the move.
While the demolition works are underway, it is not yet clear what will fill the old Royal’s footprint once it has been completely torn down. A business case for any prospective development or project is expected to be put forward in due course.
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