Watching Michael Portillo’s programme Great British Railway Journeys, it struck me how often it is outsiders who make the most of Liverpool’s heritage. In this instance, Portillo was enthusing about the unique place Lime Street Station held in the history of the railway. His first impression – the magnificent canyon cut out of rock as you approach the station – was exactly the same as mine on my first visit to Liverpool in 1965. He marvelled at the station – but was somewhat bemused at the statues of Ken Dodd and Bessie Braddock. I too am puzzled. With no disrespect to either local personality, why isn’t British Rail shouting from the rooftops that this is where the greatest transport revolution in history started. Thousands of strangers arrive at Lime Street each year – and most will not have a clue who Ken Dodd or Bessie Braddock are – but they would certainly appreciate the fact that they are standing in one of the oldest working railway stations in the world (I suppose Crown Street comes first). So why not something eye-catching to celebrate our great claim to fame instead of a couple of, for me, dull statues that have little to do with the great age of steam that transformed the world.
Until sometime in the mid twentieth century the steam engine Rocket stood in Lime Street station. The Rocket was taken down to london to be exhibited there. What more fitting a monument could there be than to bring this magnificent engine back where it belongs.
A brilliant idea, one of the many world firsts originating in Liverpool
Well stated. I’m an American who has been living in Liverpool for almost 5 years. I find those statues to be quite odd. Nothing against either person — but why in the world did city leaders choose to commemorate two (I’m sorry to say) rather minor characters, when so many people and so many events of great international importance originated in this city? It would take a rather knowledgeable tourist to know who either Dodd or Braddock are/were…I try to steer my visitors away from the statues, as I am tired of explaining who Ken Dodd is (no offense to him or his work, but c’mon).
What a missed opportunity. But, typically “small-time” for this city.