First plans revealed as Wirral town set for £12m revamp

The first plans have been revealed that will see the start of a high street’s transformation ahead of a £12m revamp.

Wirral Council is asking for people’s opinions to improve an area around the McDonald’s in Liscard town centre. Improvements to the high street on Liscard Way are a key part of the local authority’s plans to regenerate the area.

£10.7m was given by the previous Conservative government under the Levelling Up programme with the remaining £1.3m coming from Wirral Council. The local authority said the transformation of Mother Redcap Place was “to make the location more welcoming and vibrant, transforming it through enhanced public realm, street furniture and appropriate lasting and resilient green infrastructure.”

New paving, bus stop improvements, benches, more planting, new lighting, and accessible seating have been put forward under the plans. Existing trees are expected to remain.

The council said other projects being worked on include a new housing development on the Seaview Road Car Park Site where demolition is currently under way, improved community facilities along with other public space and property enhancements. The council will ask for feedback on these projects separately.

The deadline to give feedback is July 15 with two drop-in events to be held in the Cherry Tree shopping centre on June 28 and July 2. Wirral’s regeneration committee chair Cllr Mark Skillicorn said: “Under the proposals being put forward we are really keen to see this site, which is at the heart of Liscard Way in the town centre, made more welcoming and attractive as people arrive in the Town Centre.

“The proposed changes would also give better pedestrian connections to the bus stops, improve the setting of the statue and help us support the businesses in the town.”

The plans are the latest development in the town following the demolition of the former community centre on Egerton Grove. A decision was recently made over the derelict Dominick House which dominates the town centre but no details have been made public at this stage.

Despite the promises of progress, people have previously told the LDRS they were skeptical it would be delivered particularly after two banks announced they planned to close. Brian Walsh previously said: ““All I see is shops closing down and hairdressers opening up. That seems to be the only progress around here.”

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In his view, Liscard would only be able to thrive if it set itself apart from Liverpool city centre believing the council “should aim low and hit it.” Concerns about antisocial behaviour were regularly brought up, particularly in the area around McDonalds.

Details of the new plans can be found on the council’s Have Your Way website.