Derelict Garages on Whitfield Street

The dilapidated garages on Whitfield Street are a persistent cause for concern in our resident surveys. We have complained about the lack of progress wrt this site and received the following response:

In response to your enquiry about the derelict garages in Whitfield Street, Tranmere I would like to inform you that I have visited the site and that the owner of the properties has now been written to and requested to make improvements to the appearance of the garages.  The letter requests improvement to be made within 28 days and following that time the situation will be reviewed.  For information, planning permission was granted on 12/01/2011 for the demolition of these garages and the construction of three townhouses.

New bins for Derby Road

Just received this from the Council about our request for more bins on Derby Road. Good news!

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I inspected the location yesterday and will recommend the installation of an additional 3 litter bins as follows;

1. Next to Bus stop nr junction Rose Place

2. Next to Bus stop outside 36 Derby Road

3. Next to bus stop opposite hospital entrance nr to junction of St Catherines Gardens.

The current stock of litter bins is being used to replace old  and damaged litter bins as part of the keep it local clean up campaign. Once this is completed an assessment of stock will be made and a final decision reached as to which locations will receive a new litter bin. Whilst all three bins cannot be guaranteed, I would expect at least two locations to be approved.

Latest Activity Report

Welcome to another update on Green Party activities across Birkenhead and Tranmere.

It was dispiriting to see the widespread rioting affect our own area this week. Needless to say, such behaviour is totally unacceptable. However, it was good to see how quickly the local community came together and how swiftly some of the mindless minority have been brought to justice.

The whole sordid affair raises serious questions for our government. Worryingly, they have so far sought to deal with this issue purely in terms of crime and punishment. While punishing the guilty is hugely important, if we don’t seek to understand the underlying issues we are doomed to more of the same behavior.

The Pointless Party

My colleague, John Reardon, recently wrote a piece attacking Labour for its failure to support public sector workers.

Now the same can be said of the Labour party in Wirral. Just three months back in power and Labour councilors have voted to close care homes they previously campaigned to keep open; backtracked on plans to introduce 20mph zones in residential areas and, most shockingly of all, tried to prevent a modest pay award for the lowest paid workers on the Council. Incredibly, only the votes of Tory and Lib Dem Councillors secured a £250 increase in pay for a small number of Council employees. Labour’s embarrassment is laid bare in this report from the Birkenhead News. Suffice to say, when the Tories are doing a better job protecting the low-paid, you know Labour has completely lost it.

Streets update:

As usual, the Green Party continues to work hard on a daily basis to improve your quality of life. Some of the issues highlighted over the last month are outlined below with links to the full details on my web site:

·         For the latest on the (lack of) development along Church Road please click here

·         Thanks to Wirral Partnership Homes who finally got round to clearing the blocked drain on Holt Road/Kelvin Road

·         Technical Services has promised a cul-de-sac sign for Park Street which will hopefully put an end to this nonsense

·         There was a predictably disappointing response to my request for measures to address speeding traffic on Victoria Road and Harrowby Road

·         Wirral Council says it will install new lighting on Fountain Street/Whitford Road when “funds become available”

·         Planning permission is being sought to use the land between Seymour Street and Thompson Street as a temporary car park. More details here.

Speeding traffic, Victoria Road/Harrowby Road

Our recent survey revealed large levels of disquiet regarding speeding traffic on Victoria Road and Harrowby Road. However, if you were hoping any action might be taken to alleviate this menace you will no doubt be dismayed by the response we have received:

LOCATION : Victoria Road and Harrowby Road in Birkenhead  Thank you for your enquiry regarding the above.  Speeding traffic and its effect on road safety is very much at the forefront of public concern and the Council receives many enquiries regarding this issue from residents and Councillors throughout the Borough.  In the case of Speed Reduction Schemes (Traffic Calming), recommendations to progress schemes are based on the Council’s adopted criteria. This includes the results of a continual monitoring of all the Borough’s roads, carried out by the Accident Investigation Unit in liaison with Merseyside Police, together with an appraisal of emergency services priority routes to see whether or not any scheme would affect their response time.  The programme of work for speed reduction measures for this year has been approved by the Council and this location was not identified as a priority within the programme. As with all roads throughout the Borough, it will be considered again when drawing up future programmes.  In the case of the location you have identified, I have also considered its suitability for the provision of a speed camera, however following an analysis of the existing personal injury accident record, I am not able to make the location a priority. This does not mean that I doubt that some irresponsible drivers speed – but that at present, a speed camera is not a viable solution.  In the meantime, individual instances of speeding traffic may be reported to Merseyside Police which is the enforcing authority for speed limits. 

Church Road update

Just received this from the Council. At least something looks to be happening with respect to the retail development. But, in the current housing market, how long before the new houses on Fountain Street/Whitfor Road reach "an advanced stage of sales"?

In other words, "don't hold your breath"

The plans for Church Road are to build a new retail scheme on the junction of Seymour Street and Church Road on the site known locally as the Abakhan Site.  This development will begin shortly with works beginning in September to connect utility services in advance of actual building works.  There are houses being built on the Whitford Road/Fountain St site as part of the overall development programme and when this new build scheme has reached a more advanced stage of sales then house building will begin on the other sites being assembled along Church Road. Some of the empty properties and derelict buildings are not yet in Council ownership and when some of the existing traders in Church Road have relocated into the new shops then demolition can take place and the resultant site can be prepared for new housing.

Fountain Street/Whitford Road lighting

Have received the response below regarding our request for better lighting following the recent hosing development on Fountain Street/Whitford Road. I think the key phrase might be "when funds become available"!!

Request For Improved Lighting - Fountain Street Junction Whitford Road, Tranmere

Thank you for your enquiry regarding the above.

The above location has been added to the list of roads to be considered for improved lighting when funds become available.

Should you require any further assistance please contact the Streetscene Contact Centre on 0151 606 2004.

New sign for Park Street

Traffic Management has promised to install a cul-de-sac sign on Park Street. Hopefully this will prevent lorries reversing back out on to Price Street. It seems quite a few have been getting lost looking for the new ASDA.

Breaking news: long standing blockage cleared in Tranmere

OK, maybe it won't make the front page of the News or Globe but apparently this drain on Holt Road/Kelvin Road has been blocked for 2-3 years.

Given how many phone calls and emails I made to Wirral Partnership Homes I can believe that.

Anyway, the good news is that the maintenance team has been out and the drain is finally clear.