Work on the £9m upgrade of Woodside ferry terminal in Birkenhead steps up amid removal of the landing stage and linkspan bridge for the first time in almost 40 years – see new images. Tony McDonough report

Complex engineering works on the £9m upgrade of Woodside ferry terminal in Birkenhead have entered a new phase.

Earlier this week the landing stage and linkspan bridge were removed after almost 40 years of service. The 110-tonne linkspan bridge and 45-tonne connecting boom were removed over two days.

No Mersey Ferries have called at Woodside, which is close to Hamilton Square in the town, since late 2022 when it was closed ahead of the refurbishment project.

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority oversaw the reopening of the Seacombe Ferry Terminal, just along the Wirral waterfront, in late 2022 following a £7m transformation that saw its 130-year-old linkspan bridges replaced in a major piece of engineering work.

Woodside closed shortly afterwards and, in February this year, LBN reported work on Woodside would begin in the spring. However, the start was further delayed until work finally got underway in October and is due to last until summer 2025.

Images capture the moment both structures were taken away to be recycled. The landing stage is set to be used as a barge, whilst the linkspan bridge and boom will be used as scrap metal.

Some elements, including the gangways and Royal Crest, are being retained for heritage use. They will be replaced with a new linkspan bridge and landing stage with modern passenger waiting facilities, which are currently under construction.

This project will help secure the long-term viability of the important cultural asset as part of a major regeneration project to transform the area into a ‘vibrant and unique waterfront destination’. It is by Wirral Council and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

It is being made possible by Levelling Up funding from Wirral Council, which this year consulted on a masterplan and active travel project to connect the Woodside Waterfront with Birkenhead town centre.

This masterplan proposals include 1,700 homes, two new hotels, major leisure facilities and an outside event space wrapping around the ferry terminal building.

READ MORE: Work starts on new £26m Mersey Ferry

Cllr Steve Foulkes, chair of the Combined Authority Transport Committee, said: “It was a really spectacular sight this week to see the removal of the landing stage and linkspan bridge at Woodside for recycling.

“The formidable structures have served us well over the last four decades, but it’s important for us to look to the future and fit in with the wider improvements taking place in the Woodside area.