THE second stage of consultation is now underway on proposed major improvements to key routes in Birkenhead town centre.
Two schemes are being put forward as part of the wider transformation of Birkenhead.
They include improvements to walking, cycling and public areas on Conway Street, Europa Boulevard and across part of the existing Europa Car Park and Claughton Road.
This scheme follows funding awards totalling £7.2 million from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund, Active Travel Fund and private funding, to support increased levels of active travel and help areas to make their high streets and town centres fit for the future.
The second scheme would see changes to Grange Road, Charing Cross junction and Grange Road West, also in Birkenhead town centre.
This work follows the successful bid by Wirral Council for a £2.969million funding package from the UK Government’s 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 (LTN) along part of Grange Road West to encourage people to spend more time there.
'It is vital that people are able to tell us their views on these proposals'
Cllr Liz Grey, chair of the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee, said: "Birkenhead town centre is at the heart of our regeneration plans and these improvements are aimed at making a more attractive place to move around.
"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."
Cllr Tony Jones, chair of the Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee, said: "These proposals form a key part of Wirral Council’s vision for the regeneration of Birkenhead.
"The improvement of travel infrastructure and connectivity across the town will play a vital role in enabling the council to deliver our ambitious regeneration plans for Birkenhead and the wider Left Bank area."
Previous consultation on the Charing Cross and Grange Road West/Grange Road scheme held between November 28 2022 to January 22 2023 found, for those who took part, there was support for the proposal which aims to improve road safety and connectivity for pedestrians at the Charing Cross junction, with 81% of the responses supported the proposal whilst 19% objected.
For the Grange Road West scheme, which is to trial as a Low Traffic Neighbourhood– between the Charing Cross junction and Clayton Street, 74% of the responses supported the proposal while 26% objected.
The second and final phase of consultation is to give notice and specific detail of the Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) that will be required to implement the changes to the roads. TROs are legal documents that restrict or prohibit the use of the highway network, in line with the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.
Due to the scale of the schemes and how important they are to the wider town centre regeneration it was considered appropriate to seek views from the community on the broad aims of the scheme before going forward with detailed design and the formal TRO consultation.
Initial consultation on Conway Street and Europa Boulevard found that of those taking part 72% supported the proposals to Conway Street, while 70% supported the proposals to Europa Boulevard and 62% supported the proposals for Europa Car Park.
To find out more and to take part in the TRO consultation for the proposals for Grange Road West and Grange Road see the project’s HaveYourSay webpage.
On Conway Street it is proposed to bring in on-street parking restrictions, bus lane and introduction of cycle lanes, while on Europa Boulevard the proposed TROs are for on street parking restrictions and the introduction of cycle facilities. To take part in the consultation for Conway Street and Europa Boulevard visit the council’s HaveYourSay webpage for this scheme.
Letters regarding the TRO consultations will be delivered to local residents/businesses, as well as advertised in local press, notices will be put up on site and other organisations such as emergency services will be consulted via email.
The consultations are open for contributions until 5pm on July 19.
For further information or to request documents in another format contact the council at: activetravelprojects@wirral.gov.uk
For those without access to, or who are unable to view online content – or want to see the plans in real life rather than a screen, large-scale plans are available for viewing at BirkenED's Place, 8-10 Borough Rd Pavement, Grange Precinct, Birkenhead Ch41 2ZZ.
It is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 11am to 4.30pm and Saturday 11am to 4pm. Plans will be available on request at any time during the consultation period.
Alternatively, large-scale plans are also available for viewing at Birkenhead Town Hall, Mortimer Street, Birkenhead CH41 5EU (Opening hours Monday to Saturday, 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm). Plans will be available on request at any time during the consultation period.
Any written expressions of support or objections can be sent to: FREEPOST WALKING AND CYCLING, quoting the scheme name on the letter:
Conway Street, Europa Boulevard & Europa Car Park or Charing Cross & Grange Road
