Wirral Way Improvements

WIRRAL WAY IMPROVEMENTS

Click below photo for ariel view of Thustaston Visitor Centre & Car park area at the old railway station

WORK UNDER WAY

WORK began in December 2004 on a scheme to improve facilities for cyclists, walkers and horse riders in one of Wirral's best-loved beauty spots. As can be seen from the above two photo's and those at the end of this article, work is well under way in providing a much improved surface that has much less water retention than the much neglected path of old!

Wirral Council is aiming to transform the popular stretch of the Wirral Way. The old railway line, which leads to Wirral Country Park and Thurstaston Visitor Centre, attracts more than 250,000 visitors every year.

The existing Wirral Way route has been narrow and difficult for users to pass in places. Over the coming months the path will be widened and resurfaced to make it easier for cyclists and walkers of all levels of mobility to use.

The scheme involves switching the horse ride and the footpath back to their original positions to reduce steep gradients – ideal for people with disabilities. Swapping the footpath will also mean that horse-riders will get a better surface for their activity.

Ramblers out in the area will see work underway cutting back some of the trees and vegetation lining the route. Resurfacing work as can be seen, has well commenced and is expected to take up to three months to complete (from December 04).

Engineers have been working closely with Wirral Rangers in order to ensure that the sensitive environmental issues that affect the Wirral Way are taken into account. This includes not disturbing nesting birds and creating special areas to allow people to stop, relax and enjoy the views.
These areas will be planted with wild flowers to enhance the natural beauty of the area.

The scheme also includes making it easier for cyclists to get on to the Wirral Way from Meols Drive in West Kirby and Station Road in Thurstaston.

This is the first major resurfacing work to be carried out along the Wirral Way, since the park was opened in 1973. Specially allocated funding from Central Government through part of the Merseyside Local Transport Plan and Mersey Regional Waterfront Park has made the £448,000 project possible.

ITPAS continues to monitor the work and update you with photographs (click on the thumbnails below) and any relevant issues that may arise during the work.

UPDATED APRIL 2005

The completed sections between Thurstaston & Caldy shown in the above two photos show the greatly improved path, once inches thick with mud and water, in parts previously impassible, but now the smooth gritted surface makes for easy passage - at last!