Plan to make Wirral Waters "UK leader for cycling and walking"

Launched by Peel L&P’s Wirral Waters development team this week, the Action plan for active travel sets out five key actions and a range of specific projects which will help the dockside regeneration project become the most cyclist and pedestrian friendly development in the UK.

It is hoped the plan will deliver a 'step change' in the quality and connectivity of neighbourhoods, greenways and blueways for Liverpool City Region, which includes Wirral.

Created by Peel L&P, in partnership with community groups, Wirral Active Travel Forum, Cycling UK, Cycling Projects, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Wirral Council, the action plan sets out five key steps, from considering the bigger picture and understanding local needs to identifying where people want to get to, what’s already in place and what’s missing.

To achieve its ambition, the Action Plan includes five key action areas, each with very specific projects which, once complete, will create an innovative and high-quality cycling network connecting Wirral Waters with Wirral’s wider cycling and pedestrian infrastructure, making it easy for residents and visitors to connect with existing rail, ferry and bus links.

In addition to the recently completed cycleways along the north bank of East Float, other planned projects set out in the Action Plan include:

• East Float connections across Hamilton Park linking to Birkenhead Park and the town centre.

• A West Float connection linking Wirral Waters to Bidston Moss in the west and across southside to residential neighbourhoods to the south of the development.

The planned routes will set new benchmarks in design with the cycle paths and footways making use of distinctive, high quality materials and lighting to improve the sense of safety and security of cyclists and pedestrians.

On the plan's launched, Richard Mawdsley, Peel L&P's director of development for Wirral Waters, said: "We want to make cycling and walking the natural first choice for residents, commuters, students and visitors in and around Wirral Waters and so we are putting in place high quality, safe and attractive routes as well as supporting social and community infrastructure.

"At Peel L&P we are committed to ensuring Wirral Waters is a low-carbon development with sustainability at its heart.

"Putting the infrastructure in place to make active travel as easy as possible not only benefits local people, but the environment too."

He continued: "The Action Plan will make a significant contribution to the Wirral’s wider cycling network. At present, Wirral as a place to cycle is divided into two parts.

"To the west and north, cycling is easy thanks to extensive cycle paths and promenades. To the east around Wirral Waters, Birkenhead, Seacombe and Wallasey, cycling is more challenging due to a lack of supportive infrastructure.

"Peel L&P's Action Plan for Active Travel will change that, better balancing and connecting cycling infrastructure across the peninsula."