Structural and civil engineers at Ridge and Partners have spent months planning the complex engineering solution for the development overlooking the Stanley Lock Flight, which brings the Leeds and Liverpool Canal into Liverpool’s north docks.

The scheme will deliver 185 apartments and 10 townhouses for Torus Developments’ at its Hartley Locks scheme.

Kris Clark, Partner at Ridge said: “The site contains a number of complex structures such as an infilled dock, a substation and railway arches, all of which we have had to work with and around to deliver a suitable foundations design.

“Above the foundations we adopted multiple construction types to suit the architectural aesthetics and layouts, including reinforced frame apartments, timber frame townhouses and steel frame duplex flats.

“It’s a great-looking scheme and it will be satisfying to see it completed knowing that its aesthetics and budget have been helped by hidden engineering.”

The scheme has been designed by Tim Groom Architects, with construction set to last 126 weeks.

Eric Wright project manager Keiran Murphy said: “This is a challenging site with numerous complexities and the dialogue between the engineers, the client and my construction colleagues has been key to developing a workable construction solution.”

Stanley Lock Flight is a Grade II listed structure built in 1848 which carries barges 44 feet down to Stanley Dock via four locks from the canal’s main line.

The innovation, by celebrated Victorian engineer Jesse Hartley, designer of the Royal Albert Dock, dramatically improved the rate at which coal and cotton could reach Liverpool docks from the city’s Lancashire hinterland.