Powering up Birkenhead’s regeneration
Birkenhead’s power supply is set to be guaranteed with a major new £7 million substation in what is described as “one of the biggest infrastructure projects undertaken by Wirral Council in many years”.
Earlier in summer 2024 the council agreed with Wirral Growth Company LLP (WGC) – a 50:50 joint partnership between Wirral Council and placemaker, Muse – to move forward with the delivery of a primary sub-station in Birkenhead Town Centre.
Work is now getting underway on the massive 18-month project which when completed will ensure the town has sufficient electricity well into the future.
The decision to move ahead now with the new substation was made because Scottish Power Energy Network (SPEN), the electricity provider for the region, advised that the network in and around Birkenhead is operating at capacity.
The power company advised that before any further development could take place in the town centre – such as the wide ranging and ambitious regeneration proposals being consulted on for Birkenhead town centre, St Werburgh’s and Woodside Waterfront and surrounding area, as well plans for the new Dock Branch Park – that the local electric network would have to be upgraded to support future demand for electricity.
Building work on the new substation buildings – near the Birkenhead town centre's Europa Pools site – is currently underway. The project will also see cables laid from there along a 4km stretch, through Charing Cross and Oxton Road and along part of Woodchurch Road with the primary roadworks starting in December, and timed where possible to coincide with other works on the route to minimise inconvenience where possible.
Wirral Council leader Cllr Paul Stuart said:
This is a major investment representing one of the most significant infrastructure projects undertaken by Wirral Council in many years.
This is not just about bringing power into the town centre but empowering Birkenhead to move forward with some of the biggest changes in generations - it is a key infrastructure to the regeneration work we are pressing ahead with not just in Birkenhead but ultimately across our whole borough. This will provide upgraded energy capacity needed to deliver the investment, homes, high quality jobs and prosperity this town and our residents deserve.
Wirral Council’s interim director for regeneration and place, Marcus Shaw, added:
As with all major infrastructure investment there will be some inconveniences such as roadworks, for a while, and we will do everything we can to minimise disruption, but this has to be done to give us the chance of bringing forward the regeneration the town needs and we are working so hard to deliver.
Sam Wilson, Project Manager at Muse, said:
This upgrade to the energy network will help unleash the town’s full potential and unlock future regeneration opportunities across the whole of Birkenhead.
Working alongside Wirral Council through the Wirral Growth Company, we’re looking forward to seeing the positive impact the substation and associated infrastructure will have on the town’s economy, people and businesses. It is a welcome development, and one that will spur Birkenhead’s renaissance by ensuring the town has sufficient electricity well into the future.
Work on the primary sub-station, which will be on land to the rear of Europa Pools on Conway Street in Birkenhead, will be carried out via a specialist contractor Ameon Utilities Limited.
