Buckingham gets start date for £60m Anfield Road Stand

Buckingham Group Contracting will start construction next week on the £60m expansion of the Anfield Road Stand for Liverpool FC.The club confirmed the go-ahead for the scheme on Wednesday morning following an extensive round of public consultation on the plans.Enabling works have been ongoing throughout the off-season and an official ground-breaking ceremony is now planned for next week.The redevelopment of the stand will see 7,000 more seats added to Anfield, taking its overall capacity to more than 61,000.Construction of the stand will work in the same way as the redeveloped Main Stand, with the build taking place throughout the season while matches continue to be played throughout.The work will reroute Anfield Road itself around the footprint of the new stand.The project was given planning permission by Liverpool City Council in June with the club also awarded permission to hold up to six concerts and major events at the stadium for a period of five seasons.Buckingham will work with local employment groups and education establishments to offer work experience, apprenticeships, graduate placements and employment to local people. Buckingham is committed to offering around 35 work placements and more than 800 apprentice and training weeks across the build.The redeveloped Anfield Road Stand is anticipated to be ready for the 2023-24 season and its design will see the lower tier retained and refurbished with a new upper tier built above it.As well as an increased capacity, the redeveloped stand will be similar to the Main Stand, with improved concourses and sports bar lounge hospitality facilities. This stand will also see the relocation of the Family Park to a covered position.