An eight-week consultation on the proposed transformation of Birkenhead begins tomorrow (March 24).

The proposals are outlined in a major document called the Birkenhead 2040 Framework and are outlining the most radical changes to Birkenhead since the 1947 Town Plan, making the most of its history and heritage using William Laird’s town grid which he laid out almost 200 years ago.

At the heart of the plan is the creation of more family-friendly, including a new park along the route of the disused Dock Branch railway, which will bring to life a long-neglected part of the town’s heritage. The Mersey waterfront will also be opened up, offering unrivalled views of Liverpool’s iconic skyline.

Councillor Anita Leech, Deputy Leader and Chair of the Economic Regeneration and Development Committee, said: “This will be an eight-week initial consultation and due to the pandemic will be almost entirely online. We will use the Birkenhead 2040 Framework to support the development of Wirral’s Local Plan. This will focus on redeveloping brownfield sites on the east of the borough to meet our housing needs.

“But this consultation will not be the end of the discussion – we will be continuing to ask people to tell us their views, and hopefully when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, or sufficiently lessened, we will be able to hold face-to-face events too. Listening to what people want will be at the heart of this to make sure we deliver a town people want to live and work in and can be proud of.”

The currently vacant site around the Hind Street area will be transformed into a low-carbon urban garden village of up to 1,000 new homes. Funding has already been secured to remove the two flyovers to the Queensway Tunnel to open up a new pedestrian-friendly connection between the town centre and the new Hind Street community.

The 2040 Framework will support the Council’s Climate Emergency commitment through investment in improved walking and cycling routes, a new Mass Transit system to link key development areas into the Merseyrail network, and a potential District Heating Network providing low-cost heating to new developments across the town.

There will also be a focus on diversifying the local economy building on the successful manufacturing, maritime, digital and creative sectors, improved connections within and to the city region, and ensuring all are able to benefit from the wealth that is generated.

And through delivery of the Commercial District, the Wirral Growth Company and the Council are committed to bring more people back into the centre to support local shops. Work has already begun on revitalising the town centre with demolition progressing at Milton Pavement and work to temporarily move the historic market is under way so a new modern home for it can be built.

Regeneration of the area will be given a further boost when Eureka! the National Children’s Museum, will open Eureka! Mersey a world-class Science and Discovery Centre, in Seacombe in July 2022.

Local residents can have their say at online consultation portal Wirral Have Your Say (https://haveyoursay.wirral.gov.uk)