Consultation begins on proposed Birkenhead town centre improvements
Consultation on plans to make major improvements to one of Birkenhead’s key junctions and high street areas is now underway.
The proposals combine three schemes which would see changes to Grange Road, Charing Cross junction and Grange Road West in Birkenhead town centre.
The work follows the successful bid by Wirral Council for £2.969million funding package from the UK Governments Future High Streets Fund to carry out the improvements.
It is proposed to improve the look and feel of Grange Road and simplify the Charing Cross junction making it easier to cross, and to introduce a trial Low Traffic Neighbourhood along part of Grange Road West to encourage people to spend more time there.
Residents and business owners in this area are now being asked for their views on the proposals. The deadline for any comments of support or objection is 5pm on 22nd January 2023.
Cllr Tony Jones, chair of the council’s Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee, said: “The Grange Road and Charing Cross area is a particularly busy part of Birkenhead town centre and these improvements aim to provide a more attractive place for people to shop, live, visit or work and will support the regeneration of Birkenhead town centre.
“Birkenhead town centre is at the heart of our regeneration plans and it is vital that people are able to tell us their views on these proposals and help us deliver for the residents, businesses and visitors.”
Under the proposals Grange Road would see replacement of paving materials, new trees complementing the existing ones, and upgrade of the street furniture such as benches, bins.
Also proposed are timed vehicle access restrictions to improve the enforcement of the existing No Vehicular Access restriction between core shopping hours.
At Charing Cross junction the existing crossings would be replaced with wide, straight crossings allowing pedestrians to cross the road more quickly and easily, plus replacement of the current pavement to improve the look.
On Grange Road West it is proposed to bring in a trial Low Traffic Neighbourhood between the Charing Cross junction and Clayton Street. The Low Traffic Neighbourhood approach will mean traffic will only be allowed to travel in a westbound direction and coloured surfacing and planters will identify the boundary between the pedestrian area and the traffic from Charing Cross – encouraging more people to visit and spend time along Grange Road West.
To take part in the consultation online visit the HaveYourSay website.
For those who do not have access to, or are unable to view online content, a large-scale plan is available for viewing at Birkenhead Town Hall, Mortimer Street, Birkenhead CH41 5EU (Opening hours Monday to Saturday, 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm).
It is also possible to visit BirkenED's Place, 8-10 Borough Rd Pavement, Grange Precinct, Birkenhead Ch41 2ZZ. It is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday 11-5pm during the consultation period (except between 19th Dec 2022 - 4th Jan 2023), where the plans will be available on request there at any time during the consultation period. Council officers and members of the design team will be available at BirkenED’s Place on Wednesday 30 November and Thursday 1 December 2022 respectively to speak to specifically about the scheme proposals.
Any written expressions of support or objections can be sent to: FREEPOST WP7 WALKING AND CYCLING, quoting the scheme name Charing Cross & Grange Road on the letter. This is a FREEPOST address and does not require a stamp.
Your letter needs to clearly state whether you are submitting an expression of support or an objection, along with your reasons.
Please note the concept plans and documents may not be accessible for people with disabilities, users of assistive technology or mobile phones. If you need an accessible copy of these documents, please contact us at activetravelprojects@wirral.gov.uk
