Work is finally beginning on the delayed £9m of the Woodside Mersey Ferry terminal in Birkenhead which has been closed since late 2022. Tony McDonough reports
Work has finally begun on the £9m upgrade of Woodside ferry terminal in Birkenhead.
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 on Monday and is due to last until summer 2025.
As part of this complex engineering work, the existing 39-year-old landing stage and linkspan bridge will be removed, recycled and replaced with a new linkspan bridge and landing stage, with modern passenger waiting facilities.
This upgrade is being made possible by Levelling Up funding from Wirral Council, which this year consulted on a £23m Masterplan to breathe new life into the area. Proposals include 1,700 homes, two new hotels, major leisure facilities and an outside event space.
Cllr Steve Foulkes, chair of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Transport Committee, said: “This is an exciting time for the Woodside area and we’re delighted to be playing our part in the regeneration that will be taking place over the next few years.
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“The existing structures at Woodside have served us well over the last 39 years, but it’s important for us to look to the future and fit in with the wider improvements taking place.
“Alongside the plans for a new ferry, these works highlight our commitment to the Mersey Ferries and their importance as a much-beloved cultural asset for our city region.”
Built in 1864, the Woodside terminal is a listed building made of wood but on brick foundations. It was used for the shooting of the film Chariots of Fire in 1981 and in 1985 it underwent a major refurbishment.
Paul Stuart, leader of Wirral Council, added: “The Woodside area is on the cusp of major change with the significant funding Wirral Council has obtained to maximise the incredible potential of this unique location.
“The revamped ferry terminal will play an important role in helping us make Woodside the amazing waterfront destination it should be.”