MERSEYSIDE Development Corporation treats listed buildings carefully, but bridges and docklands can be grey areas during planning and redevelopment.

A rail bridge and dock gate in Birkenhead are examples and are the subject of planning permission from Merseyside Development Corporation.

Wirral Council is extending the tourist tramway from Shore Road through a railway cutting to a depot at Taylor Street.

MDC had an objection, claiming Wirral Council has not adequately thought through the heritage tramway route and the extension application is 'premature'. It would also mean the demolition of an old Victorian iron bridge that now carries a roadway.

The MDC planning board was advised that the bridge is in poor condition and infrastructure for Twelve Quays included the possibility of extending the tramway to serve the site. It was noted that if English Heritage spot list the bridge, listed building consent would be needed before demolition.

MDC also gave permission to Wirral Council to develop the old Graving Dock Number Four as an engineering training centre allowing vessels up to 200 feet in length to be repaired in the dock as well as 'historic vessels'.

Not clear in the planning application is the future of the leaky dock gate, reputed to be one of the original Cammell Laird shipyard gates and the only one of its kind still surviving.

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