Structural demolition work has started on the site of the former Royal Liverpool University Hospital. It follows the successful move into the new 640-bed state of the art hospital in October 2022. Since then, extensive decommissioning and preparatory work has been taking place to reach this point.

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.

Frequently asked questions

A 3.6m high solid hoarding has been erected to screen the entire demolition site with safe routes maintained for vehicles and pedestrians around the site. We have also installed 18 CCTV monitoring cameras around the hoarding which is backed up by 24/7 security guards on prominent gate locations.

We have in a place a comprehensive Demolition Environmental Management Plan, which will detail all emission controls, threshold levels, monitoring and alerting procedures.

Noise, dust and vibration monitoring instruments will be used throughout the demolition to ensure specifically chosen parameters are not breached and agreed processes are in place to respond if any of these parameters are breached.

An air quality management plan has been produced in line with the Institute of Air Quality Management (IAQM). This will inform the controls required to ensure air quality is maintained during each phase of the demolition.

Measures taken to minimise dust emissions include:

  • Soft strip inside buildings before demolition, retaining walls and windows to provide a screen against dust
  • Bag and removal of debris prior to demolition and damping down of material stockpiles
  • Water suppression techniques (atomised and targeted jet water)
  • Air handling units with primary and secondary filters to capture dust, pollen, bacteria and finer dust particles.

The Trust has existing Asbestos Management Plan Records, which were held across the lifespan of the building and identified areas where asbestos was present. In addition to this, a Health and Safety Executive Refurbishment/Demolition Survey has been completed by the Trust’s specialist asbestos consultants.

This is to ensure that nobody will be harmed by work on asbestos-containing materials (ASMs) present in the premises or equipment and that the work will be done by the right contractor, in the right way. The Trust has checks in place to ensure the specialist company carrying out the demolition will adhere to all legislation related to the removal and disposal of ASMs.

DSM Demolition has appointed independent experts, Brooks Ecological consultants, and they have and will continue to attend the site to ensure demolition work can take place without impact to birds and other wildlife, and that the work is carried out within the legislation of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Bird nests are protected under the Act, which means nests cannot be moved or destroyed while they're being built or still in use. Mitigations vary depending on species, in accordance with the Act, however work can continue in adjacent areas.

  • Biosciences
  • Lecture Theatre
  • Gas store
  • MRI
  • Duncan Building
  • Radiopharmacy
  • Link Bridge
  • Main Hospital
  • UCD
  • AMU
  • Chapel
  • Removal of floor slabs and foundations.

Following the demolition, the subsequent phase will address access route requirements and site landscaping and start the process of delivering the long-term site development plans.

The Trust has previously stated an ambition to bring forward more world class healthcare and bioscience facilities on the campus, with an emphasis on training, education, research and innovation, which will further benefit our patients and staff as well as strengthening partnership work with other institutions in the Knowledge Quarter and wider city.

In October 2023, LUHFT and the University of Liverpool announced an agreement to advance plans for an Academic Health Sciences Campus on the site of the former Royal.

DSM Demolition is undertaking the demolition and associated site clearance works to the former Royal Liverpool University Hospital site. All appropriate control measures will be employed to ensure the safe, efficient and environmentally considerate delivery of the project and DSM has signed up to the Considerate Constructors Scheme, which is an independently managed, not-for-profit organisation that works side-by-side with the construction industry and the public to raise standards and build trust.

If you have a complaint or concern regarding the demolition work, please contact DSM in the first instance, using the contact details below: