Wirral Council has told West Kirby Today that work on the new flood wall won’t now be completed until early next year.
Rumours have been circulating in the town that work on the scheme – which was due to be finished in November – had run into problems with the piling needed to create the foundations for the structure.
However, the local authority insists the piling works have gone well, although have taken a little longer than expected. They say the most disruptive elements of the programme will be completed by the end of October, with work starting shortly on the next phase.
In a statement to West Kirby Today, the council said: “Throughout the summer, contractors working on behalf of Wirral Council’s partner on the flood alleviation scheme at West Kirby – VolkerStevin – Okhave been working along the length of South Parade to complete the piling works by the end of this month.
“These ‘piles’ are up to 18 metres long and – once installed – provide the foundations of a base slab structure before construction can begin above ground level.
“The piling works have been taking place in eight distinct sections and as piling ends at each section, a programme of load testing then takes place to ensure they can bear the weight of the final construction. Only once these tests have been satisfied in each section can the workers then move on to the next phase of construction.
The council says steel reinforcement and concrete works will begin shortly, then work will begin to start building back the promenade, which will involve installing the wall with integrated seating from October and then resurfacing the promenade area, starting at the north end, followed by lighting columns.
They added: “Although it is disappointing the remaining elements of the works will continue beyond Christmas, the council will be working with the contractor to open discrete sections of the promenade as soon as they are finished.
“Conscious of the need to comply with one of the planning conditions put in place in response to the Habitat Regulations Assessment, there is an ecological monitoring officer on site to ensure that none of the works or activities are causing significant disturbance to bird populations. This officer is also currently monitoring the anticipated return of the migrating birds that call West Kirby home during the winter months.”
They have also revealed that workers discovered part of a sandstone wall near to the old baths site that is believed was part of the original old baths structure. This will be left in place and built over to provide part of the foundation to the new open space to be formed at the old baths site, which has reduced the need for some of the piling in this area.
The space will be suitable for staging a range of events such as food festivals, markets, music and art performances.