Walking and Cycling Improvements proposed for Birkenhead town centre
Consultation is now underway on proposed major improvements to key routes in Birkenhead town centre.
The public are being asked for their views on three plans for better walking, cycling and public areas on Conway Street, Europa Boulevard and across part of the existing Europa Car Park and Claughton Road.
The scheme proposals follow funding awards totalling £7.2 million from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund, Active Travel Fund and private funding, to help areas to make their high streets and town centres fit for the future and support increased levels of active travel.
Now residents and business owners in the area are being given the opportunity to comment on the proposed three schemes:
Conway Street – This scheme aims to improve the look and feel of Conway Street from its junction with Hemingford Street to the roundabout at Argyle Street, and to improve accessibility for all. The scheme includes the full replacement of paving materials on the north side, new trees complementing the existing ones. A fully segregated cycleway will be introduced on the north side of the road with better pedestrian and cycle crossing points along Conway Street. Existing access points along this section of Conway Street will either be closed or made one way and made safer for pedestrians by raising the footway levels at each junction.
Europa Boulevard – Here the aim is to reduce the overly wide dual carriageway and share the available space more evenly. It would also see the introduction of a fully segregated cycleway on the west side of the Boulevard, with northbound and southbound vehicle traffic using the east side of the boulevard. The scheme also includes the replacement of the current pavement with better quality surfacing to improve the look and accessibility of the street environment.
Europa Car Park – This is the third scheme and will take part of the Europa Car Park nearest to the Bus station to allow public realm improvements, allowing better connection between Conway Park Station and Birkenhead Town Centre. We are also proposing to make a short section of Claughton Road near the bus Station one way as a shared surface i.e. for all users not just traffic. The improvement will result in the loss of some 50 car spaces.
Chair of Wirral Council’s Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee, Cllr Tony Jones, said:
These proposed improvements are part of a broader series of upgrades to Birkenhead town centre to make it better, safer and more pleasant for those walking and cycling.
The proposals also tie into our wider regeneration plans for the town centre and beyond so it is incredibly important that as many people as possible use this opportunity to look at these proposals and tell us what they think - and play their part in helping us deliver the real change Birkenhead’s residents, businesses and visitors all deserve.
To take part in the consultation online visit:
- Alternatively, 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, 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 8th and Thursday 9th February to speak to specifically about the scheme proposals.
- If you 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).
- Any written expressions of support or objections can be sent to: FREEPOST WALKING AND CYCLING, quoting the scheme name Conway Street, Europa Boulevard & Europa Car Park 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 the grounds on which they are made.
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
The website will be live for further information and responses from 6th February to 19th March.
Please note the deadline for any comments of support or objection is 19th March. We will not be able to process responses received after this date.
