The money could see some major changes to roads
Plans to make major changes to Wirral roads could cost £5m according to a new report by Wirral Council. The costs will be covered by external funding.
At an environment, climate emergency, and transport committee meeting, councillors are expected to approve a transport plan programme funded by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority from April 2025 as well as a programme from April 2026. The aim of the transport plan is to reduce the number and severity of avoidable road traffic collisions to zero, make journeys safer by foot or bike, and improve air quality.
The Liverpool City Region was given a settlement of £710m in 2022 by the then-Conservative Department for Transport. This funding is then split over the course of five years and divided between different councils.
In 2022, Wirral received £1.2m, £2.9m in 2023, £3.6m in 2024, and £3.8m is expected to be allocated for the next financial year which starts in April. What the council delivers is subject to the resources available but £1.5m hasn’t been spent from this year’s budget.
At the moment, around £5m of work is in the programme from April 2025. This includes £1.5m for the final phases of the controversial rollout of 20mph speed limits in residential areas across the borough. Despite protests, vandalism and issues raised about the scheme, the latest council report said: “All schemes to be delivered are specifically targeted to reduce recorded personal injury collisions that have occurred at the locations listed.”
£500,000 of costs are estimated for local safety schemes identified in Wallasey Road in Liscard, Whitfield Lane in Heswall, Park Road West and Claughton Road in Birkenhead, Montgomery Hill in Frankby, Station Road in Thingwall, Highfield Road in Rock Ferry. It is also expected to cost £150,000 to introduce “speed reducing measures” to support the 20mph limits including parking bays requested by police to assist in routine enforcement activities.
£100,000 is set aside for a speed limit review and £150,000 could be set aside to help set up safety schemes around schools. £300,000 could also be allocated to create new footpaths within the Higher Bebingon Recreation Ground, an area around the Oval Leisure Centre in Bebington.
Money could also be spent on new pedestrian crossings as well as measures to improve footpaths, bridleways, and byways. £2m could also be spent on pedestrian crossings at Woodchurch Road and Duckpond Lane in Prenton, Chester Road and Kings Lane in Bebington, and Telegraph Road and Pensby Road in Heswall.
Ahead of the meeting, the council has also provided an update on food waste collections from next year as well as the roads it plans to resurface later in 2025. The council also highlighted in a budget report that while parking charges could help close a £300,000 gap in its parking budget in the future, this won’t happen before April.