Contractor Sterling Services has commenced construction work to convert the ground floor of the Kirkby Centre into a new post-16 facility for Alt Bridge School.

Knowsley Council is investing £5 million in a phased expansion that will create 120 additional special school places over the next four years.

Relocating the post-16 provision to the Kirkby Centre will free up further space at Alt Bridge School for more special school places.

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The work is expected to be complete by April 2026.

The redesigned space will feature modern learning areas, including kitchen facilities, to help young people develop independence and prepare for adulthood.

Access to Kirkby Library and the Kirkby Gallery will continue as normal throughout the works.

Cllr David Lonergan, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, said: "It's really important that we can meet the rising demand for special school provision in the borough. Our phased expansion programme at Alt Bridge is creating an additional special school places, whilst also ensuring that we can continue to provide post-16 provision in a modern, fit for purpose, learning environment.

"It will be great to see this project progress and I look forward to welcoming students to this new, modern learning environment in the spring."