Wirral consults on Birkenhead ‘High Line’
The creation of an 800-metre linear park on the former Dock Branch Railway line in the town could begin next August.
Wirral Council has launched a public consultation on the Dock Branch Park proposals, which runs until 29 October.
Designed by Optimised Environments, the park is inspired by the High Line in New York and the Promenade Plantée in Paris, according to the council.
Residents and local stakeholders are invited to put forward their views on what should be included at Dock Branch Park and how the space could support local wildlife, leisure, play, and cultural facilities.
In addition, respondents to the consultation can also pitch ideas for a permanent name for the park.
The original idea for the former railway line had been to infill the cutting, bring it up to street level and establish bus lanes alongside cycle paths.
However, these plans have been superseded by the park proposals.
The park stretches between Argyle Street and Tower Road and forms part of the council’s Birkenhead 2040 framework that aims to guide the regeneration of the town.
The regeneration vision comprises both Peel L&P’s Wirral Waters and the £1bn redevelopment of Birkenhead town centre, being delivered by Wirral Growth Company, a joint venture between the council and Muse Developments.
- Credit: via consultation documents
- Credit: via consultation documents
Cllr Tony Jones, chair of Wirral Council’s economic, regeneration and development committee, said: “Dock Branch Park is a perfect representation of our overall regeneration plans for Birkenhead. It’s ambitious, it’s transformative, and it’s large scale.
“The park is an essential part of delivering the vision for Birkenhead and creating an urban ‘garden city’ that our communities are proud of and makes more people want to visit and call Birkenhead home.
As well as Optimised Environments, the project team for the park includes Mott MacDonald, BDP, heritage consultancy BBHS and visitor destination experts Event.
A similar project is progressing in Manchester where the National Trust is working with National Highways’s Historical Railways Estate team to transform the 1892 Castlefield Viaduct into a public space.
Good stuff… but how’s it going to be paid for ?
By George
Like the idea of a park but who will look after it as we don`t have the National Trust millions and others bank rolling it.
I was at the Seacombe ferry a few weeks back and the park there was badly overgrown when it could be an attractive spot.
We could ask George Osborne for money or the PM after all they granted £60m for the London garden bridge which got scrapped.
Anyway moan over , would certainly support having a park in this area.
By Anonymous
The council cant afford to cut grass on the land it owns now so who will keep this area cut and tidy if it’s the council they will just leave other areas to compensate for this.
By Trevor Bowen