Bus stop Elmswood Road/Victoria Fields

I've been contacted recently by several residents concerned that the bus stop on Borough Road/Elmswood Road would be removed.

I've been on to Merseytravel and have received the following reassurance:

Dear Mr Cleary 

Stop S22014C on Borough Road at Victoria Fields

Thank you for your communication regarding the above stop.

As part of the upgrade of bus stops on the 471 and 472 bus routes, Merseytravel has undertaken comprehensive consultation with occupiers and owners of adjacent properties.  At this location a number of valid concerns and issues were brought to Merseytravel’s attention with the result that the design for this particular upgrade has been substantially changed from that originally proposed. 

An outline design incorporating these changes has been approved in principle by Wirral MBC and I am now awaiting formal approval to progress to site.  The intention is that the shelter will go back near its original position but in order to introduce a much improved overall layout, the lay-by will be narrowed and footway widened.

As the upgrade of this site has missed its slot in the original construction programme, we intend to undertake a mop up exercise towards the end of February, in which it will be included.

I apologise for the delay that has occurred, particularly as it has happened after the old shelter had already been removed.   

Yours sincerely

Highway Bus Projects Officer

Wirral Council's response to our Greenprint for Birkenhead

Recently, Wirral Green Party published its Greenprint for Birkenhead, our vision for a rejuvenated Birkenhead.

Wirral Council has issued a response. You can read this below followed by our own thoughts in return:

MEDIA STATEMENT FROM WIRRAL COUNCIL

January 14, 2013

Subject: Birkenhead Town Centre

Cllr Pat Hackett, Wirral’s Cabinet Member for the Economy, said: ‘Many of the suggestions in this plan have been part of the Council’s vision and strategy for some time; other elements are simply not viable, particularly in view of the current economic climate, and how Birkenhead functions as a town and retail location. The Pyramids, for example, is the centre of the retail area in Birkenhead, and not viable for housing. It would be more appropriate and better for Birkenhead as a whole, to place any high quality independent retailers who want to come here in the town centre, not Argyle Street. Encouragingly, a number of new retailers have recently moved into Birkenhead and we are receiving an increasing number of enquiries for space; we intend to capitalise on these opportunities.

‘In the current challenging economic climate, we have been working with partners to support Birkenhead town centre and develop opportunities for future growth and development. It forms an integral part of our wider economic development aspirations, particularly in view of the future potential of Wirral Waters.

‘We are currently in discussions with a number of property owners and a developer to produce a masterplan, which will focus on bringing new retailers into the town by redesigning the centre and using vacant land to provide new opportunities. Our discussions include exploring options for land at Hind Street, on the edge of the town centre, which, if successful would see the re-use of land that has been vacant for many years.

‘Woodside Ferry area is hugely important in terms of heritage and tourism. Some time ago, the Council and its partners agreed a masterplan for the area which will see this unique waterfront redeveloped with offices, residential and leisure use. When economic circumstances allow, this will revitalize this area of Birkenhead, and link it to the Liverpool waterfront by means of the Mersey Ferries as well as linking back through Hamilton Square into Birkenhead Town Centre as well as into what will be Wirral Waters.

‘A team has also been looking at Hamilton Square area for some time, including improving access, traffic and parking, and a range of opportunities are being explored, including greater use of Birkenhead Town Hall and improving links to Birkenhead Park, Williamson Art Gallery, and The Transport Museum to further strengthen our cultural and heritage offer.


Wirral Green Party response:

Birkenhead Town Centre

Further responses to the Media statement from Wirral Council

We welcome Cllr Hackett's endorsement of many of the ideas in our visionary plan for Birkenhead acknowledging that we are building on the best of current ideas. Of course we welcome continuing efforts to breathe new life into the centre of Birkenhead. However, we still want to see our core ideas addressed and developed building on a number of core principles.

The river Mersey, a wonderful natural and ecological resource, is an important part of the very soul of Birkenhead. Its historic role in the life of Birkenhead makes it vital that the functional core of Birkenhead is reconnected to it. We need a world class response for this location. The proposed "offices, residential and leisure use" of the Woodside Ferry area is just the uninspired, pedestrian and standard response that is potentially a waste of a huge and real opportunity.

We may be in hard times but this makes it all the more important that we have truly visionary ideas and leadership. The Green Party is ready to promote a new vision for the people of Birkenhead who deserve the best of new green thinking - not stale old ideas. We see the need to work with all partners including, for example, Peel Holdings to find the right solutions. We need the sort of vision that has transformed Liverpool.

Gateshead, similar to Birkenhead in looking across a river to a more powerful neighbour, provides examples of the kind of exciting development that Birkenhead needs. So, come on, let's raise our vision, tap into our heritage and make downtown Birkenhead vibrant, a must-go to destination and a fantastic partner for Liverpool building a critical mass around the whole of both sides of the water.

Council responds on gritting

Here is the reply I received about gritting on some of the steep slopes in Tranmere. Note that the future of grit bins is under threat based on the latest council consultation:

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Dear Sir

Thank you, for your enquiry regarding the winter maintenance of the following roads Sidney Road Holt Hill and Holborn Hill, Tranmere. I can tell you that these roads are not included in our 10no gritting routes they do however have grit bins located at various locations to assist with adverse weather and they are also included in our Highway winter service operational plan as areas to be considered in extreme weather conditions.

I hope this answers your enquiry

Video graphically shows impact of council cuts

At the beginning of July Wirral Council drastically reduced its expenditure on collection rubbish. The council blames government cuts but the self-confessed "bad financial management" has played a huge role in inflicting cuts across Wirral that are far worse than in many other areas.

As well as reducing its capacity for general rubbish collection the alleyways that sit between most of the terraced streets in Tranmere are now only cleared once every 12 weeks. Previously they were cleared once every four weeks. Residents are really noticing the difference and it is no exaggeration to say that I am now flooded with complaints about the state of the streets and alleyways.

One resident has kindly taken the time to produce a short video showing the state of the alleyway behind his house. It makes for depressing viewing and stands as a graphic illustration of the impact the cuts are having.

For years now I have highlighted Wirral Council's failure to deal with this issue at source by prosecuting those responsible for fly-tipping. Now that the safety blanket of regular collections is being withdrawn the full impact of this failure is there for all to see in this video.

Wirral Council: profiting from the poor

As thousands of our poorest residents face court summons for council tax arrears the response of Wirral’s council leader Phil Davies in last week’s Wirral Globe simply beggars belief. Shrugging your shoulders and blaming the government simply isn’t good enough.

In reality, this assault on Wirral’s poor is about much more than government cuts. It has been sharply compounded by the calamitous failure to manage Wirral’s resources over many years; what Cllr Davies himself calls “bad financial management”.

When the government handed responsibility for council tax benefit to local authorities in April it also cut the funding by 10%. Many councils took the sensible decision to absorb this cost as the sums involved were so small they did not warrant collection.

However, despite Cllr Davies’ own commitment to “protect the most vulnerable” Wirral chose to charge residents previously entitled to council tax relief at a rate of 22%. This is one of the highest rates in the whole of England. Our council took a 10% cut in funding and implemented a 22% increase in charges on Wirral’s poorest residents.

However, rather than accepting responsibility for this social injustice Cllr Davies takes the easy way out and blames the government.

St Annes Close/Kinmel Close

The Council has agreed that the vegetation running between Kinmel Close
and St Annes Close needs cutting back.

Hopefully this will be addressed over the coming months.

Dropped kerbs

Some of the street infrastructure around Birkenhead and Tranmere really is poor. Today I spoke with an officer at Wirral Council and requested dropped kerbs for the bottom of Craven Street leading onto Conway Street and also for the network of paths leading from Victoria Road to Milton Road East.

The programme is full for this year but hopefully they will be given due consideration and included next year. If the funding hasn't been cut that is!

If there are other areas you would like to see addressed please let me know.