Topic: Liverpool ports waiting on government cruise decision

Liverpool council authorities are still waiting on a decision from the government on whether cruise holidays can be allowed to start and end in the city.



Speaking in an interview with the BBC yesterday, Liverpool City Council leader Joe Anderson admitted he was angry that the decision was taking so long.



At present, Liverpool can only currently accept cruise stop-offs at the city's port, meaning the area misses out on a substantial amount of tourism trade.



The City Council applied for permission to allow cruises to start or end in the city last year and were originally assured that a decision would be made by the end of 2011.



However, opposition from Southampton, which currently hosts much of the cruise ship trade in the UK, saw the decision delayed, leading to Mr Anderson's angered response.



"This is now a restraint of trade issue - I believe, quite fairly and quite strongly, the government are restraining Liverpool from operating a facility that brings in jobs and money to the local economy," he said.



Southampton's main criticism focuses on the fact that public funding was given to the port back in 2007, under the agreement that it would not host cruise holidays.



Royal Caribbean Cruises has already moved to state it has no interest in using the Liverpool port, and will continue to base its cruise ships in Southampton.

 

Do you think Liverpool should be allowed to host cruise holidays?

I can't see what it has to do with the government. What about the rights of passengers, who are also voters? I live in North Wales, about 25 miles from Liverpool. As far as I am aware, there are no cruises ports in this side of the country at all. Newcastle, Harwich, Dover, Southampton are all at least a 4 hours drive away. Liverpool would be convenient for passengers from North Wales and the North West, a fair few million potentially.

I would give Liverpool my vote much more convenient than any other port in the UK.

From what i have been reading and hearing i would think or guess that they will get a full Port Facility.On Question time the government line appears to be try and push some wealth away from London and we have had the Announcement that Manchester Airport is to have more facilities and Heseltine said there should be long term development of the port as part of the nation looking for exports out side the Euro zone.
Wondered if Liverpool council should Petition against Southampton get £57mill for road improvement or against Development grants going to poorer Southern areas ??

bob i so agree with you. we need jobs we need trade. and history will tell you how great it was in liverpool with the docks. it is the right place for cruise ships in fact any shipping has to be a good thing. i for one love the liverpudlians they are funny helpful friendly and boy can they sing. so come on lets give support to these people. i for one will sail from the pool, shame about the football though lol joke
i had the best treatment during my battle with cancer in liverpool thankyou for my life. and take note of my comments i am from manchester but have not been home for many years so not all manks hate liverpool.

I am going on a taster in Sept with Cruise & Maritime that goes from Liverpool & Hull which is a couple of hours nearer than Southampton & without the need of a hotel ,so hopefully i will go on a longer cruise from Liverpool next year ..i would go from anywhere else rather than Southampton ...

Will Liverpool be prepared to pay back the government grant - I 'm sure it would make things a lot easier for the decision makers and Southampton 's case would be a might weaker

Has anyone ever thought do the cruise lines want to start cruising from Liverpool! What is the point they already have perfectly good ports already elsewhere, its not always what! the passenger wants that comes 1st with cruise lines its profits & owing to Liverpools location it will be more expensive for them to sail from there, So this expense will of course be passed on to the passenger.

YES, it should be permitted! The UK Government were glad of the port of Liverpool in years gone by. Why should they bow to pressure from Southampton because the Boating Show takes place there (and prices are pushed up in hotels and taxis I hear at this time)? Liverpool is far closer to North and Mid-Wales where I live and to the North/North West of England and possibly to the Midlands. It is so unfair to the passengers to force them to travel all the way to Southampton which is well and truly off track! Liverpool has a lot to offer too. Let them pay back the subsidy/grant mentioned and let the permission be granted to Liverpool. Southampton has had the monopoly for too long! Let them share!

Yes please - lets have more cruises from Liverpool - direct ferry links from Dublin or flights from Shannon!