Council’s plans for West Kirby town centre to go on display

Sep 3 2008 by Lorna Hughes, Hoylake and West Kirby News

CONTROVERSIAL council plans for major changes to The Crescent, South Parade promenade and Dee Lane in West Kirby are going on display this week.

The first stage would see Dee Lane given a facelift to give what Wirral Council says would be “greater connectivity between the centre of the town and the seafront”.

Pavements would be resurfaced with an improved entrance to Sandlea Park, granite paving and new custom-designed lighting, seating, bollards, signs and information points.

The council also plans to run a pilot scheme to pedestrianise The Crescent, with the road closed to all traffic except for deliveries at fixed times.

It hopes to agree a 12-month trial pilot scheme with traders starting next spring.

The final alterations would see drive-in parking spaces facing out to the Dee created on South Parade.

The spaces would be created by reducing the width of the promenade pavement.

Cllr Jean Quinn, cabinet member for streetscene and transport services, said: “Plans are moving forward for West Kirby with officers working hard to ensure the proposed improvements preserve and enhance the unique physical character of the town.

“We are keen to receive residents’ views and I urge as many people as possible to view the display.”

John Robinson, of Stop the Sail, which was set up by residents to oppose The Sail project, said: “I think that the plan for the promenade is ridiculous. How is the prom improved by taking one-third of the pavement and reducing the available road width, just to create extra parking spaces?”

Wirral Council said the proposals had been drawn up because a number of residents had expressed a desire for increased car parking in the area.

l The plans can be viewed in the display area opposite the One Stop Shop at West Kirby Concourse from Monday, September 1 to Saturday, September 13.