Pioneering decarbonisation project in Liverpool recognised with recent awards win

Works at Merseytravel’s Wallasey hub win big at this year’s National ACR & Heat Pump Awards. 

A large-scale decarbonisation project at a regional hub in Liverpool has been celebrated for its achievements through a win at the recent National ACR & Heat Pump Awards 2024 and further award nominations in 2023. 

The project, which was crowned as the Non-Domestic Heat Pump Project of the Year, centred around the installation of low-carbon heating technology and energy efficiency measures at Merseytravel’s Wallasey hub. The award was given at a ceremony held at Midland Hotel in Manchester on Thursday 21 March.

Merseytravel is the executive body that provides professional, strategic, and operational transport advice to the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, which supports a population of 1.6 million residents in the North West of England.

All award nominations celebrated organisations working with low-emission technologies that support our transition away from traditional, fossil fuel-based systems. 

Assistant director of customer delivery for the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Gary Evans, said: “We are delighted that this funding has enabled us to demonstrate our commitment to decarbonisation as we continue our journey towards net zero in the Liverpool City Region. 

“The practical delivery of such schemes is no small undertaking and is an excellent example of the Combined Authority, contractors and external funders working collaboratively to deliver on behalf of our 1.6m residents.”

The Wallasey hub houses around 150 Merseytravel staff including engineers, drivers, electricians, cleaners, and administration staff. 

To support the £2,062,567 works, Merseytravel received £1,787,816 in funding from Phase 3a of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. Funding was delivered by Salix on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Alongside their win at the National ACR & Heat Pump Awards 2024, the project was nominated for the National Energy Efficiency Awards 2023. Although they didn’t win, the project team are proud to have been recognised for their efforts amongst other top-tier performers. 

Technical services manager at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Colin Dever, said: “The award is recognition of the amount of work that was invested in the infrastructure design to achieve the optimum decarbonisation results.”

The project has also been celebrated as the first of its kind for Merseytravel and the Combined Authority, who are now looking to use the challenges faced and lessons learned to inform future decarbonisation works across their estate.

Colin added: “The workforce has seen the Combined Authority investing in its estate as part of the climate emergency commitment. 

“The building looks modern with the additional insulated cladding, modern vehicle doors linked to the heating system so the doors are kept in the closed position which maintains a constant heat in the workshops for staff. 

“The 1960s building is a much better workplace for its 150 staff following the investment.”

Overcoming challenges

However, the project was not without its challenges, the largest of which project partners attributed to aspects of the plan becoming unaffordable within budget due to inflation pressures and cost increases.

Smaller-scale elements of the project that had to be abandoned as a result included the replacement of the front doors and installation of additional solar pv for renewable on-site energy generation to reduce running costs.

Despite these challenges, the project team persevered, making alterations to their plan which, instead, focused on the installation of cavity wall insulation to further compliment their building fabric improvements. 

Salix programme coordinator Jake Helliwell said: “Success would not have been possible without this adaptability and perseverance, making the Wallasey hub project not only an excellent example of low carbon technologies in action, but in overcoming difficulties to achieve success.”

Read more detail about the project, including estimated carbon and financial savings and technologies used via the case study.