Work is due to start shortly on the new cruise liner development at the Pier Head and Princes Dock. The million pound project will enable Liverpool to accommodate the world’s biggest liners and will encourage the greatest vessels to return to the Mersey and moor up alongside one of the world's most famous waterfronts. The development will include a 350 metre extension to the Princes Dock landing stage, with a round the clock operational jack up barge positioned against the Princes Dock Wall. The Pier Head footbridge will also be relocated by approximately 30 metres to make way for a 75 metre vehicle bridge in the historic floating roadway. The construction of a cruise liner terminal would mean an increased influx of cruise liners to the Mersey and the added benefits for the local economy. Currently many of the world's largest liners are only able to berth in the centre of the river and use Mersey Ferries as tender ships, as the QE2 did in 2004. The new cruise liner facility at Liverpool's Pier Head should be accepting visitors by the city's Capital of Culture year in 2008. £17 million pounds of investment for the scheme was announced by the Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott in May 2005. The money will come from Objective one funding and the North West Development Agency. The new berth will be large enough to accept liners such as the QE2 and the Grand Princess. It will also create 90 new jobs. More than 25 cruise liners are expected to be tying up in Liverpool by 2009 and a new reception hall will welcome them. | 
