People are being directed to a number of car parks including one near ASDA
Europa Square car park(Image: Copyright Unknown)
Wirral Council has issued a reminder to drivers after a car park closed over the weekend. On May 23, the Europa Square car park in Birkenhead fully closed to make way for regeneration works in the town centre including changes to make it easier to move around by foot or by bike.
The car park has been partially closed since March. In an update posted on May 27, a photo posted by the council showed a sign redirecting drivers to multi-storey car parks on Conway Street and Claughton Road.
The four car parks the council are suggesting people park are include the multi-storey car park on Conway Street, the car park for the Pyramids Shopping Centre, council and private car parking near to ASDA, and the Europa Pools leisure centre car park.
Wirral Council previously said the closure was “to enable contractors delivering the Birkenhead Town Centre improvements to complete this part of the works safely and efficiently.”
Wirral Council is currently spending nearly £12m of grant funding on two projects in Birkenhead town centre including new paving as well as walking and cycle routes.
The funding will see major changes to the high street on Grange Road, new cycle lanes and walking routes on Conway Street and Europa Boulevard.
Part of Grange Road West will also be temporarily reduced to one lane “to encourage more people to visit and spend time there, as well as improved links to Grange Road itself.”
Video walk-throughs of both developments have been posted by the council on YouTube showing how the area will change going forward. This includes new planters, trees, benches, and other street furniture alongside the new cycle lanes and walking routes.
According to a recent update from the council, new trees have now been planted along Grange Road, the main high street, and traffic lights and barriers around the Charing Cross junction at the top are set to be lifted in June. The sign the works are months away from being finished will come as a relief to businesses in the area who have reported a drop in trade.
The entrance to the Pyramids Shopping Centre is expected to be done by June while Europa Square car park is expected to be closed soon until September. By November, the works on Grange Road are expected to be finished which means the work will be finished before Christmas.
Past Wirral Council leader Cllr Paul Stuart previously said: “We fully understand that people are frustrated that their journey times through Birkenhead are a bit longer, or they may have to walk around safety fencing to get into their favourite shop. But the end is now in sight.
“It would be impossible to carry out such extensive works without managing traffic and cordoning off areas being worked on – this is a significant project and it has to be carried out safely and appropriately.
“However, once complete, residents and local businesses will see the benefits of the quality, attractive public realm, environmental and safety improvements that are being made.
“The improvements are designed to provide a more attractive place for people to shop, live, visit or work and to support the regeneration of Birkenhead town centre by providing an improved, better connected and more sustainable experience for all who use this area.”