Update: West Kirby flood wall

The noisiest and most disruptive parts of the construction of the West Kirby flood wall have now been completed.

The last few remaining piles – metal tubes that provide the foundations of a base slab structure before construction can begin above ground level – have now been installed and are being cut down to their finished length. ‘Break out’ works, which is the removal of the old concrete elements of that side of the promenade, has also now concluded.

Works on the next phase of the project is already underway at the Riversdale Road end of the promenade with new concrete works taking place there before the pre-cast wall units can begin to be installed later this month.

This work will then continue to take place in distinct areas along South Parade and it is hoped that when work in one area is completed, that part of the promenade will be able to reopen fully to the public.

Also this month, it is understood that the RNLI crew based on South Parade will be able to return to their compound. Their craft had been temporarily relocated in West Kirby over the summer as piling works took place near to their premises, meaning access was limited.

As part of the wall project, the RNLI will have their existing gated entrance to the promenade widened to make it easier for them to launch and return to base in future. An unused, council-owned storage shed is being demolished so this can happen.

As reported earlier, the overall estimated completion date for the project has had to be extended into the early part of 2023. However, the contractors, VolkerStevin, are making efforts to reduce this estimated completion date as much as possible.