Working alongside Liverpool City Council (LCC), Liverpool BID Company, Chamber of Commerce, and other stakeholders, AECOM as lead designer was responsible for the design, procurement, and installation of the Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) measures for the ‘Without Walls: Castle Street project’.

One of the main concerns the designers faced regarding the HVM measures was the type, size and availability of stock which could be procured, delivered and installed. The country was in lock down, many staff had been furloughed and countless companies had temporarily ceased trading. Townscape were therefore engaged in the fast-moving procurement process.

Townscape were consulted to advise on the design layout and installation of the HVM measures to be included in the “Without Walls” project. Townscape then designed and supplied various HVM products, within the 4 week short timescale required by AECOM.

The Without Walls project was truly a collaborative approach across the client, designer, contractor, suppliers and stakeholders. It demonstrated just what could be achieved in such a short time frame to promote the hospitality industry, protect jobs, maintain social distancing and social mental health, while ensuring the environment was protected from any potential terrorist attack.

Liverpool’s Deputy Mayor and cabinet member for culture, tourism and events, Councillor Wendy Simon said; “We’re massively proud of the Liverpool Without Walls programme and the fact that the city was quick out of the blocks in doing what it could to try and ensure the survival of this vital sector. We’ve been approached by a number of cities across the UK that have been following with interest what we have achieved and looking at how they can replicate it in their areas which is a real compliment to the hard work which has gone on behind the scenes”

The Counter Terrorism Security Advisor (CTPNW Counter Terrorism Policing North West) said “To pull this together in such a short time frame is impressive and can only contribute to keeping the public of Merseyside safer”.