Work has begun on a new development in Wirral which will see a disused Birkenhead railway line cleared and converted into a 'linear' park by the end of 2025.
Wirral council are now clearing the old Dock Branch railway tracks of debris and overgrown vegetation to assess the space and develop their designs for the new space. The 'green corridor' will connect Tower Road, adjacent to the ferry terminal, and Argyle Street in Birkenhead town centre.
The work to clear the tracks is expected to take two weeks, though its total regeneration is expected to end in early 2025. The council's invitation to the public to consult on the park's design ended last October though they say there will be more opportunities for those concerned to have their say before construction begins next year.
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The ECHO spoke to the people living along the old railway track for their thoughts on the upcoming development. Gordon Smith, 74, who has lived on Cleveland Street by the old tracks for 15 years now, said that he hasn't 'seen much change' come to the area in that time.
He said: I don't mind what they do. I'd like to see more green space and more buildings going up. It hasn't changed that much since I moved here.
"I'd like to see it cleaner too. I don't get out much, unless it's to the shops, but if there was a nicer scenic route to the water I'd definitely use it."
Another person who lived on Cleveland Street, who didn't want to be named, said that there is 'a hell of a lot to do' not only in terms of the clearance work but to change the way people treat the spot, which is constantly littered on and has become a regular site for flytipping. Though he was positive about the change to the area where he has lived for 8 years.
Cairan Kavanagh, 35, who lives on Brook Street, also adjacent to the disused railway line, said: ""There's a hell of a lot of fly tipping down there. You''ll sometimes see a white van just park up and a couple of guys will get out and throw mattresses and couches down there. That's been going on for years, probably more than a decade.
Cairan was impressed with the ambition of the development, which could see new buildings constructed along the green space at various points. He said: "I probably would use it a lot, I think a lot of people would.
"It's been disused for years so I think it'd have a lot of people using it.
"You never see anyone down there now, but if it wasn't cleared up and it was maintained, I think it'd be really good. Honestly, even if they just cleaned it up, and didn't go forward with the big plans to regenerate it, it'd be fantastic.
"I think it can only really be a positive."
The Dock Branch Park project is expected to cost £13m, and could see 1,000 new homes. It will be funded with outside funding secured by Wirral Council to regenerate Birkenhead, from sources such as Homes England, the governments Town Deal, Future High Streets fund and Levelling Up fund, as well as the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
Alan Evans, director of regeneration and place at Wirral Council, said: "Dock Branch Park will be a landmark new green space where people can reconnect with each other, nature and heritage. It’s important that the park not only offers new space for people but also preserves and enriches the existing natural environment.
"The work being carried out over the next few weeks will ensure that we get a park that will boost biodiversity, make the most of the site’s unique heritage and create somewhere that our communities will be proud of".
