The aim is to create a more attractive place in the area around Woodside once the works are finishedHow Argyle Street could look in the future.How Argyle Street could look in the future.(Image: Wirral Council)

Birkenhead town centre is set to see months more of roadworks after the go-ahead was given for major changes to its waterfront and historic square.

At a committee meeting on June 16, Wirral councillors unanimously gave the final sign-off for plans that would see huge changes to roads around the Woodside Ferry Terminal, historic Hamilton Square, and Argyle Street. These would see renovations similar to changes being seen already on nearby Conway Street, as well as new cycle lanes and walking routes.

Now approved, work could start later this year as part of wider regeneration plans alongside a new ferry terminal and U-boat museum. The council said the plans would allow people to make a choice about how they can get around in an area where 40% of people do not own a car.

The plans include parking restrictions in some areas, changes to road layouts, a new plaza down by the ferry terminal, as well as further changes in and around Hamilton Square. The council had written to 3,000 people and businesses as well as engaged people online, but only 40 people responded, with more than half of those opposed.

Offers said the plans had been two and a half years in the making and said it was about providing better transport options ahead of plans that “eventually will create a place for people to visit and live.” However, concerns were raised by Cllr Jenny Johnson, who criticised the low number of people responding as well as the possible impact on car drivers.

However, officers said through three rounds of public consultation, they had addressed some initial concerns, and some of the responses, like that provided by Make It Happen CIC, were on behalf of multiple people. On the issue of cars, Luke Bithell said: “It’s very car dominant at the moment, especially the gyratory down in Woodside.”

They said the plans were about including everyone, adding: “We are not excluding anyone from that. The aim isn’t to make it harder for car owners; it’s to make it easier to walk, cycle, wheel, and use public transport to get around.”

Cllr Liz Grey said the current situation “shows how much this area is in need of regenerating and how much this area could be improved with public realm investment and change,” adding improving the area could see a boost for businesses in the long run.

Current issues around roadworks in Birkenhead town centre were raisedCurrent issues around roadworks in Birkenhead town centre were raised(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)

Despite the later approval by councillors, the disruption caused by roadworks loomed over the debate. In the centre of Birkenhead, businesses have complained about lost business as a result of construction work there for a similar regeneration scheme.

Cllr Max Booth asked about compensation for businesses and whether the council could learn from past failures, while Cllr Steve Foulkes said he was worried “everyone is going to get off to a building site” when the new ferry terminal is completed. Officers said they were working with Merseytravel on timelines, and the current contractor in charge of designing the scheme was well aware of these issues.

In the environment and transport committee meeting, councillors also approved introducing wand orcas to a cycle lane on Duke Street to prevent illegal parking off the back of complaints, though the Conservatives voted against it while Heswall councillor Graham Davies abstained. The Conservatives said this was due to concerns around access and “an appalling response rate.”

No parking spaces will be lost as part of the changes, which will also include improvements to a road junction as well as an extra disabled parking bay. Labour councillor Liz Grey said the changes would mean cyclists wouldn’t have to veer around illegally parked vehicles into oncoming traffic through enforcement of the eight-year-old cycle lane.

At the beginning of the meeting, the council also heard from two members of the public. Sarah Spoor, who has previously run as a Green Party candidate, thanked the council and councillors cross-party for their support for new accessible swings recently installed at Birkenhead and Central parks, while Gary Rolfe raised concerns about road safety dangers for cyclists, telling councillors: “Wirral’s roads are a dangerous place to cycle.”