Wirral Council regeneration project to promote sustainable travel

The Birkenhead to Liscard scheme is the first part of the Liverpool City Region Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure project (LCWIP) proposed to be delivered in Wirral.

Wirral Council is beginning a major public consultation and engagement exercise to gather people’s views on a significant regeneration project that aims to encourage more people to walk, cycle or wheel for short journeys along a route connecting two of the borough’s busiest town centres.

It would extend across a 3.5-mile-long route running from Chester Street, Birkenhead, connecting Hamilton Square station, Woodside Ferry, Wirral Waters, Seacombe Ferry Terminal, Eureka! Science and Discovery Museum and Liscard town centre.

Improved pavements and crossing areas, more street furniture and seating and dedicated spaces to ride and park a bike are all ideas that will come under consideration to help make it easier for people to get to work, school or the shops – or simply create a more pleasant environment for residents along the route to spend time in.

This area has been selected for investment because it is part of the wider Liverpool City Region LCWIP (Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan) that aims to radically improve walking and cycling links for people in Wirral and across the wider city region. Development of an LCWIP is a requirement of the National Infrastructure Act 2015.

The estimated cost of the Birkenhead to Liscard project is £10 million with the proposal that it would be funded via Liverpool City Region. The proposed scheme is part of Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram’s plans to create a 600km network of new and upgraded cycling and walking routes across the region.

Residents can view the proposals and take part in the 10-week consultation from September 25^th. As well as all details and the survey going on the council’s consultation portal, Have Your Say, there will also be a programme of face to face activities and engagement in a number of different locations across Birkenhead and Liscard.

This will include exhibitions at venues on or around the route that will allow people to view the plans. They can also be seen at BirkenEd’s Place, which is managed by local organisation PLACED, who will also be running pop-ups along the route over the course of the 10 weeks. During some of these sessions, Virtual Reality experiences will be available for people to look at the proposals in a different way.

Full details of where these will take place and when will be in a leaflet sent directly to around 8,000 households and businesses on and around the proposed route. They will also be published on haveyoursay.wirral.gov.uk.

Cllr Tony Jones, Chair of the Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee for Wirral Council, said: “I hope as many local people as possible get involved in this consultation process as their views and ideas are essential in shaping what the proposals for the final scheme will look like.

“A lot of work has gone into developing and designing the route so far, taking into account feedback from residents and stakeholders during an initial consultation in 2020.

“This isn’t just another cycle lane, this has the potential to be transformative in terms of how people make their everyday journeys to work, school or for shopping or leisure. It is also a key part in Wirral’s plans to deliver sustainable, accessible and inclusive regeneration of this part of the borough over the coming years.”

Cllr Liz Grey, Chair of the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee for Wirral Council, added: “We have a responsibility, not only as a local authority and a City Region, but also as a country, to provide better and more comprehensive facilities that will encourage people to walk, cycle or scoot more.

“The widespread nature of this consultation and engagement process shows people just how serious we are about delivering these changes with the support of residents. Of course it is partly about reducing the number of journeys made by cars, but mostly it is about ensuring those residents who don’t have access to a car, or choose not to travel by car, also have options. We want to create a balance on the road that gives equal consideration, in terms of safety and connectivity, to people who choose to walk or cycle.”

Simon O’Brien, Liverpool City Region Walking and Cycling Commissioner said: “The Birkenhead to Liscard active travel scheme will help to provide a vital cycle link for people in Wirral as well as enhancing the look of this very important stretch of road.

“Now is your opportunity to tell us what you think of these plans. Have your say and the feedback will help Wirral Council and the Combined Authority improve the way this scheme works for everyone – whether they’re regular bike users or not.”