We asked, you said, we did

We asked

In response to public feedback, Wirral Council launched a review of the New Chester Road active travel scheme, introduced in 2020 to improve safety and connectivity between New Ferry and Birkenhead. The scheme added light segregation units (‘orcas’) to protect cyclists along the existing cycle lane. As part of the review, we asked road users to share their views on whether the current layout should remain, be removed, or be adjusted. This feedback, alongside traffic and safety data and national design guidance, will inform future decisions by the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee. The scheme also forms part of Route 11 in the proposed Core Active Travel Network (CATN), a longer-term vision for improving key routes across Wirral.

Link to project page

You said

196 people responded to the consultation. While a majority supported the council’s broader goals for encouraging walking and cycling, views on the current layout of New Chester Road were mixed. Around 41% of respondents wanted no changes, 32% preferred reverting to the pre-2020 layout, and 27% supported making adjustments. Concerns included underuse of the cycle lanes, traffic congestion, and safety issues with the orca separators. Suggestions for improvement included replacing or removing the orcas, enhancing protection for cyclists, and addressing parking in cycle lanes. Many respondents also highlighted the importance of balancing active travel improvements with the needs of all road users.

We did

At 09/07/2025 - Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee meeting, it was agreed that amendments would be made to the design of New Chester Road.

We asked

As part of a wider review of Active Travel Fund Tranche 1 schemes, Wirral Council sought feedback on the Fender Lane active travel route, introduced in 2020 to improve cycling connections between Moreton and Bidston. The scheme reduced the dual carriageway to a single lane in each direction to create a segregated cycle route. We asked road users to share their views on whether the current layout should remain, be removed, or be adjusted. This feedback will be considered alongside traffic and safety data and national design guidance, and presented to the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee to help shape future decisions. Fender Lane also forms part of Route 9 in the proposed Core Active Travel Network (CATN), a longer-term vision for improving key routes across Wirral. Link to Project Page

You said

1,049 people responded to the consultation. While many supported the principle of encouraging active lifestyles, views on the current layout of Fender Lane were mixed. Just over half of respondents agreed that the council should improve roads and footpaths for walking and cycling, but 63% said they would prefer the road to return to its pre-2020 layout. Key concerns included underuse of the cycle lanes, increased congestion, emergency vehicle access, and pollution. Suggested changes included reducing the active travel route to one side of the road, reinstating the dual carriageway, and improving access for emergency services.

We did

At 09/07/2025 - Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee meeting, the following decisions were agreed:

(1) Implementing operational amendments to the traffic signals at the Fender Lane/Reeds Lane junction as set out in Option Package 1, and the maintenance and compliance amendments as set out in Option 2 of Table 1 of the report, with the exception of the speed limit element of Option 2 which would be considered as part of the forthcoming borough-wide speed limit review; and

(2) Increasing the length of right turn lane from Fender Lane to Reeds Lane as set out in Option Package 3 of Table 1 of the report.

We Asked

We asked for your views on proposed transport and public realm improvements around the Wirral waterfront, including the area from the Argyle Street/Conway Street roundabout to Woodside Ferry Terminal. These proposals aim to enhance connections between Birkenhead Town Centre and the waterfront, supporting economic growth, improving accessibility, and encouraging active travel. This phase of consultation focuses on gathering feedback on planned changes to roads, crossings, cycleways, and public transport infrastructure, which form part of a wider regeneration programme supported by government and regional funding.

Link to Project Page

You Said

You said that views on the proposed changes were mixed, with varying levels of support across the three areas. Feedback showed that while some respondents welcomed improvements for walking, cycling, and pedestrian safety, many expressed concerns about spending, traffic and parking restrictions, and the impact on local access. Supporters highlighted benefits such as improved active travel routes and revitalisation, while objections often centred on perceived misuse of funds and disruption. A number of respondents were unsure, citing scepticism about the project’s purpose, frustration with previous works, and uncertainty about the value of the changes.

We Did

At 16/06/2025 - Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee meeting, this project was approved.

We Asked

We asked for your feedback on proposals to improve active travel facilities along Duke Street, covering parts of Bidston & St. James and Claughton Wards. The scheme aims to enhance safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists through measures such as new signalised crossings, improved cycle lane segregation, updated road markings, and amendments to parking restrictions. These improvements are designed to support regeneration by strengthening connections between Wirral Waters, Birkenhead Park, and the rail station. This consultation follows an earlier engagement in 2021 and reflects an expanded scope. It is part of a statutory process due to proposed changes to traffic regulations and is funded through national and regional active travel programmes.

Link to Project Page

You Said

You told us your views on the Duke Street Active Travel Scheme, with responses showing a fairly even split. Of the 88 people who took part, 46.6% supported the proposals while 53.4% objected. Supporters mainly welcomed the improvements for cyclist safety, with over 70% of positive comments highlighting this benefit. Those opposed were most concerned about the potential negative impact on local businesses, particularly due to the loss of parking spaces.

We Did

At 16/06/2025 - Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee meeting, the project was approved.

We Asked

Wirral Council has received £7.2 million from the Government's Future High Streets Fund, Active Travel Fund and private funding, to make improvements on Conway Street and Europa Boulevard. The funding cannot be used for any other purpose. The proposed improvements were designed to provide walking, cycling and public realm improvements, increasing connectivity and road safety within the town centre.

Phase 1 consultation (found here) sought reasons for supporting and objecting to the proposals, with feedback considered in the design process. Following this feedback, a second phase (found here) of consultation was designed to give notice and detail of the Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO’s) required to make the proposals effective and collected feedback on these TRO's.

You Said

88 people responded to the phase 1 consultation. 71.6% of responses supported proposals on Conway Street, 70.5% supported proposals on Europa Boulevard and 62.1% supported the proposed changes to Europa car park.

24 people responded to the phase 2 consultation. 50% supported and 50% objected to the introduction of a one-way road system on Conway Street, 54.5% objected to the proposed introduction of on-street parking restrictions on Conway Street, 58.3% of respondents supported the proposed introduction of a bus lane on Conway Street, 50% supported and 50% objected to the introduction of cycle facilities on Conway Street, 52.2% supported the proposed introduction of on-street parking restrictions on Europa Boulevard and 62.5% supported the proposed introduction of cycle facilities on Europa Boulevard.

We Did

Conway Street and Europa Boulevard Active Travel Scheme was approved for delivery with completion scheduled for Summer 2025.

Update 09/07/2025

Following the consultation and a review of the results, the scheme was given approval to progress. As a result, the following traffic regulations orders will be made on 9^th July 2025:

• Amendments to the Birkenhead Town Centre Controlled Parking Zone
• One-way traffic arrangements on Grange Road and St John Street
• Pedestrian/Cycle Zone on Grange Road, St John Street, Catherine Street, Vincent Street, Horatio Street and Coburg Street
• One-way arrangements on Adelphi Street
• Bus Lane on Conway Street
• Revocation orders to remove existing orders to facilitate the project on Europa Boulevard and in the Grange Road pedestrian area

The regeneration scheme in Birkenhead Town Centre, that these traffic regulation orders relate to, has been progressing on site. These traffic regulation orders, will be introduced on site in phases, as the works are completed.

These traffic regulation orders do not include changes to Grange Road West, which will be introduced as works are completed in that area. The regulations for Grange Road West will be introduced as Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders, which means that once we introduce them, they can be amended and changed. Wirral Council will invite comments from residents and local businesses during the initial 6 month period of the new traffic proposals and the experimental traffic regulation order process will allow Wirral Council to make any necessary changes to the traffic arrangements and the use of the road in its new layout.

We Asked

Wirral Council has received a £2.969 million funding package from the UK Governments Future High Streets Fund (FHSF) to make improvements on Grange Road, within the Charing Cross junction and on Grange Road West. The funding cannot be used for any other purpose. The proposed improvements were designed to provide better access and connection to the services in the area and improve road safety within the town centre.

Phase 1 consultation (found here) sought reasons for supporting and objecting to the proposals, with feedback considered in the design process. Following this feedback, a second phase (found here) of consultation was designed to give notice and detail of the Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO’s) required to make the proposals effective and collected feedback on these TRO's.

You Said

154 people responded to the phase 1 consultation. 81.0% of responses supported proposals on Grange Road, 81.2% supported proposals on Charing Cross and 73.9% supported the proposed changes to Grange Road West.

43 people responded to the phase 2 consultation. 54.8% supported the implementation of a one-way road system on Grange Road West, 54.8% supported on-street parking restrictions on Grange Road West and 58.1% supported prohibition of driving on Grange Road.

We Did

Charing Cross and Grange Road active travel scheme was approved for delivery with completion scheduled for Summer 2025.

Update 09/07/2025

Following the consultation and a review of the results, the scheme was given approval to progress. As a result, the following traffic regulations orders will be made on 9^th July 2025:

• Amendments to the Birkenhead Town Centre Controlled Parking Zone
• One-way traffic arrangements on Grange Road and St John Street
• Pedestrian/Cycle Zone on Grange Road, St John Street, Catherine Street, Vincent Street, Horatio Street and Coburg Street
• One-way arrangements on Adelphi Street
• Bus Lane on Conway Street
• Revocation orders to remove existing orders to facilitate the project on Europa Boulevard and in the Grange Road pedestrian area

The regeneration scheme in Birkenhead Town Centre, that these traffic regulation orders relate to, has been progressing on site. These traffic regulation orders, will be introduced on site in phases, as the works are completed.

These traffic regulation orders do not include changes to Grange Road West, which will be introduced as works are completed in that area. The regulations for Grange Road West will be introduced as Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders, which means that once we introduce them, they can be amended and changed. Wirral Council will invite comments from residents and local businesses during the initial 6 month period of the new traffic proposals and the experimental traffic regulation order process will allow Wirral Council to make any necessary changes to the traffic arrangements and the use of the road in its new layout.

We Asked

Wirral Council and its partners asked people who live, visit or work in Beechwood or Ballantyne, to help re-design the area of ‘Greenacres Park’, to make it a safer community space for all to enjoy.

Respondents were asked to provide feedback including what they would like to see in the park, including:

• What they would like to name the park.
• What they like about the park.
• What they do not like about the park.
• What they would like to see in the park.
• What they do not want to see in the park.

You Said

27 ideas were posted on the ideas board. The top themes that emerged from the ideas were:

• Sports Facilities (40.7%).
• Playground (33.3%).
• Community Garden (29.6%).
• Green Space (18.5%).
• Cleanliness (18.5%)

The report with the full results can be found here: 'Greenacres Park' Ideas Board | Have your say Wirral

We Did

The ideas and suggestions will be used to put together a plan so that we can apply for funding to make improvements to the park.

If the application for funding is successful, a series of workshops will then be held in the local community to continue to coproduce the plans for the area and make sure that the plans still reflect community ideas.

We Asked

We asked Wirral Residents to find out their carbon footprint using the WWF Footprint Calculator and tell us their results. We also asked for postcodes so the results could be averaged by ward.

You Said

76 people told us their carbon footprint. The highest average carbon footprint was 11.2 tonnes in the West Kirby and Thurstaston ward, followed by 11.1 tonnes in the Upton ward, and 10.9 tonnes in the Bidston and St. James ward. The lowest average carbon footprint was 7.1 tonnes in the Eastham ward. The full results can be seen on the Carbon Footprint project page.

We Did

The results will be shared with Cool Wirral and will help us to see where the greatest sources of emissions are in each area and how to direct our resources to best support communities to reduce them.

We asked

We asked for your comments on our proposed changes to the Council’s Local Validation Checklist.

You said

We received comments from 3 individuals during the course of the 6 week consultation period. The issues raised can be summarised as follows:

• The importance of Best and Most Versatile agricultural land.
• The Local Validation Checklist has increased significantly in terms of the volume of information required to be submitted with certain planning applications, which could have an adverse impact on the time taken to validate and determine planning applications.
• Queries were raised over whether the checklist should explicitly exclude certain application types where that particular piece of information may not be required.

We did

A direct response was sent to each individual addressing the separate issues raised and seeking to provide further explanation as to the why certain information is required when submitting a planning application.

Each response was considered carefully to assess whether any further changes should be made to the checklist, however the team is satisfied that the requirements of the checklist are proportionate, reasonable, and necessary in the determination of planning applications. Therefore no further amends have been made to the checklist.

The Checklist has been approved by the Director of Regeneration and Place and is published on the website here: https://www.wirral.gov.uk/planning-and-building/planning/planning-application-forms-and-checklists

We Asked

Wirral Council agreed an Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure Strategy in 2024 which amongst other things, set a target to provide 1,580 new, either standard or fast EV charge points across the borough by 2030. We want to make sure that we install charging points in the right areas for people to use, such as where residents do not have their own driveway or access to off street car parking. Wirral Council invited residents to suggest on street locations where they think Electric Vehicle Charging is needed the most. The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) have been awarded £9.6m of Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) grant funding to deliver charging infrastructure across the city region.

You Said

You provided a list of specific locations where you believe EV on street charging points would be required.

We Did

We have analysed the information and shared with the LCRCA for funding. The sites suggested have been prioritised using a criteria including the location and material of the local street lighting column. The current aim is to start delivery of charge points in Autumn 2025.