Birkenhead Waterfront Delivery Update

Updated plans for the redevelopment of the Woodside waterfront area and its connection to Birkenhead town centre will be presented to councillors.

It follows a partial redesign of the proposals to ensure the project can be delivered within budget and the updated scheme will be presented to members of the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee.

Funding has been awarded from Central Government to bring about better connections from the Woodside waterfront area to Birkenhead Town centre, including helping to drive increased footfall and economic growth.

The focus of the updated project plan is on ensuring it can be delivered within the available funding and it incorporates lessons learned from recent projects to provide greater cost certainty while still delivering on the vision for the area.

The project includes:

• a reenvisaged waterfront with new green spaces and a walking/cycling corridor established between Hamilton Square Station and Woodside Ferry Terminal.
• a remodelled arrival space at Hamilton Square Station, providing a multi modal transport interchange and opportunities to enjoy the key viewing points across to Liverpool;
• retention of the heritage tramway, which allows the line to be renovated and brought back in to use in the future;
• a modern and interactive children’s play area, surrounded by space for families; and
• new areas of upgraded public realm will also be created on Argyle Street, Hamilton Square and Hamilton Street including active travel infrastructure to improve walking, cycling and wheeling provision.

The improvement works are also being delivered alongside a number of other projects in the vicinity, including at Woodside a renewed Battle of the Atlantic visitor attraction and the new ferry pontoon to provide a ferry service back to Woodside again. This co-ordinated approach is seeking a collective opening agreed with all partners, including ferry services, in spring 2028.

The updated design follows an initial cost plan for the scheme which had been overbudget due to higher than anticipated costs from sub-contractors, inflation rises, and risk/contingency increases largely caused by risks of disturbing utilities and services (such as electricity cables or internet cables) in a historic built environment where these are located very close to the surface. The overall budget for the design and build for the scheme is £25.6 million which includes extensive design and preparatory costs, as well as staffing and construction plus a contingency fund.

This higher than expected cost was identified at the detailed design stage following more detailed ground investigation works and following this the redesign took place. The overall project vision remains the same with highway and improved public spaces at Woodside and the surrounding areas including up to the Argyle Street/Conway Street roundabout.

The proposals will be considered when the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee meets on March 10 at Wallasey town hall. The agenda and supporting documents for this meeting are available on the council website at Agenda Document for Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee, 10/03/2026 18:00