WORK to replace three marine navigation aids on New Brighton shoreline will take place next week.

The markers, at the mouth of the River Mersey, are placed close to coastal structures to alert all river traffic about potential hazards presented by a structure and help avoid a collision.

The aids to navigation will be a familiar site to regular visitors to New Brighton near Fort Perch Rock, though many may not know what they are there for.

They are steel towers with access platforms and triangular top marks and green lights that illuminate at night.

The council has a duty under the Merchant Shipping Act to mark hazards to navigation.

The work to replace the three towers in New Brighton is being carried out by specialist contractor, Southbay Civil Engineering.

The new structures have been made offsite and will be installed by Southbay using an eye-catching piece of marine plant in the shape of a four-legged, jacked up barge.

This machinery is generally used out at sea for work on oil and gas platforms and wind farms, so it will be a rare opportunity for people to see this equipment used so close to land.

Leader of Wirral Council, Cllr Pat Hackett, said: "This is vital work and it is important it is done quickly and safely to ensure Wirral’s coastline is safe for everyone.

"We are doing the work in the summer to ensure that wildlife in the coastal environment is not disturbed.

"Weather permitting, the work will take five weeks and once operational the new Aids to Navigation will continue to alert river traffic to the navigational hazards at Wirral’s coastline."