Wirral's independent local news website
Work continues on the West Kirby flood wall and improvements to the surrounding area.
It was hoped that small sections of the promenade would be open for Easter, but road resurfacing works were delayed due to high tides and waves coming onto the promenade and highway at the end of March.
It is now anticipated that the first phase of reopening the promenade will be shortly after Easter.
West Kirby businesses are open and ready to welcome visitors making the most of the spring weather by heading to the beach and marine lake footpath. Access to the beach is just a 5-minute walk from the centre of West Kirby.
The beach and marine lake path can be reached on foot through the watersports centre car park , heading towards the temporary RNLI station and lifeguard hut. People walking across to Hilbre island should check the tide times before setting off and follow the advice of the RNLI.
Resurfacing works to the road, footpath and promenade are now planned to take place from 12 April. Work will begin at Riversdale Road and continue up to the Old Bath site. As work progresses areas will reopen in phases, the first of which will be Riversdale Road to Dee Lane.
Following suggestions from the public at the consultation stage of the project, decorative details have been incorporated into the design of the scheme. The promenade path has imagery set into it linking to the local environment and distance markers counting up and down every 100m.
Works update
The seated wall has been installed along the full length of the prom from Riversdale Road to West Kirby Sailing Club, apart from a section at the Old Baths site.
Concrete works at the Old Baths site will be finished by 13 April. When fully open this space will provide a new public performance and exhibition space on the promenade for locals and visitors to enjoy.
The promenade walkway has been resurfaced from Riversdale Road to Alexandra Road and resurfacing works will continue down South Parade from 12 April.
The pavement and kerbs are installed on the landside of the wall from Riversdale Road to Shrewsbury Road and installation remains ongoing.
About the scheme
The new 1.1km long, 1.2m high, curved seated wall is designed to act as a barrier protecting South Parade and properties situated on it – as well as neighbouring streets and beyond – from potentially damaging flood waters.
The design of the wall itself was finalised after consultation with residents and will resemble a ‘wave’ with a continuous curve containing seating, memorial or celebratory plaques – including replicas of those previously in place on the promenade.
The gated access points provide places for pedestrians to cross and during a flood these gaps are filled in with special flood gates. The scheme also includes an upgraded public realm, including new paving and highway resurfacing along South Parade. The two Victorian shelters which were removed to accommodate the building of the wall will be replicated as part of the completed scheme, with the aim of using materials from the original structures where possible.
A refurbishment of the site of the Old Baths opposite Hilbre Court, near to the RNLI lifeboat station, will create a new public performance and exhibition space. A new dedicated cycle lane will be created too, while the outdated and increasingly unreliable street lighting network along South Parade will be upgraded with new LED lighting columns being installed.
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