Work will shortly start on a project to resurface and improve approximately five miles of the Wirral Way, including stretches in West Kirby, Caldy and Thurstaston.
Around two miles of the pedestrian/cycle path will be resurfaced, with the introduction of a camber to improve drainage.
Resurfacing will be along seven of the most eroded sections:
- Grange Road to Church Road bridge, West Kirby
- Cubbins Green to Caldy car park
- Croft Drive to Simonsbridge, Caldy
- Station Road bridge to Thurstaston campsite
- Campsite to the The Dungeon, Thurstaston
- Piper’s Lane footpath to Banks Road, Lower Heswall
- Riverbank Road to Cottage Lane, Gayton
As well as repairs to the path, some lower tree branches will be removed to improve visitor safety and emergency access along the route.
Wirral Council says that for the work to be carried out safely, some sections will have to be closed, but where possible the adjacent horse-riding path will be shared by all users.
For the first time in almost 20 years, nine sections of the park’s horse-riding route, spanning approximately three miles, have also been identified for improvements. They will be levelled and rolled with hedgerows pruned to widen the path, to meet the British Horse Society’s recommended minimum width of 10 feet. Any trees removed will be replaced.
Cllr Liz Grey, Chair of the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee at Wirral Council, said: “Wirral Country Park welcomes more than half a million people every year, so this investment will help improve the visitor experience for all of the park’s users, for many years to come.
“The project meets Wirral Council’s commitment to tackling the ecological and climate crisis and will help biodiversity to thrive, as well as improving the health and wellbeing of our residents”.
The council says environmental and drainage impact assessments and a biodiversity statement have taken place to ensure there is an overall increase in biodiversity.
The project will start in late January and is expected to be finished in spring 2024.