New pedestrian and cycle route set to encourage ‘greener’ travel in the Wirral

Wirral Council has announced work is due to begin on the construction of a new route for pedestrians and cyclists near Wirral Waters.

Funded by the Sustainable Urban Development Fund (SUDF), Wirral’s latest project is designed to create an environment that is safe for both walking and cycling and is hoped to encourage people to adopt these methods of transport as their regular commuting habits.

Located at Bidston Moss, the new route will provide improved facilities from the already exiting paths. It will run along the southern section of Wallasey Bridge Road and Beaufort Road improving access to the West Float area.

To deliver this project, Wirral Waters developer Peel has provided extra land to Wirral Council to help them expand the boundary of the highway area.  

Land at the corner of Beaufort Road has also been purchased by the council from Network Rail.

The new route will include a tiger crossing, which not only ensures traffic gives way to pedestrians, but also allows cyclists to cross without having to dismount by following the specially marked cycle route alongside.

Cllr Tony Jones, Chair of the Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee said the scheme will create ‘safe and useful’ routes to encourage people in the town to walk and cycle more. He said funding for it has been ‘given to the council specifically for this purpose and is not coming from the council’s resources which are delivering frontline services.’

Cllr Liz Grey, Chair of the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport committee has also added: ‘This route is part of a wider developing cycle network across the Left Bank to support sustainable and active travel options for people living and working across this area.

‘Not only will this latest scheme help us protect the environment, but it will also help people live a healthier lifestyle.’

Wirral Council was awarded £1.22m of SUDF, with over £600k coming from the European Regional Development Fund and a further £611,434 from the LCR Transforming Cities Fund.

Photo by Marcus Cramer