Welcome To Wirral

Dee Lane Improvements:

This proposal is likely to form the first phase of the public realm improvements (along with the pilot pedestrianisation of The Crescent) providing greater connectivity between the centre of the town and the seafront.

Key Features:

• Re-surfacing of pavements with high quality flat surfaced granite paving. The use of contrasting colours will provide a more pleasant look and ensure the safety of users

• Provision of high quality custom-designed street furniture (lighting, seating, bollards, planters, tree grills, signs and information points) within the proposed scheme to create a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere throughout and transform the street scene

• Entrance to Sandlea Park replaced with a widened feature gateway and lighting

• Corner at Banks Road provided with feature seating and improved soft landscaping

• New mosaic paving with feature seating and lighting installed at the Dee Lane / South Parade junction to create a new focal point

• Introduce 20mph speed limit on approach to Dee Lane / South Parade junction

• The developer of the Sail will be expected to provide consistency of look and materials when finishing the street scene around the hotel and sailing school at their own expense.

 

The Crescent Pedestrianisation:

The scoping study in 2007 concluded that pedestrianisation of The Crescent would greatly improve the environment making for a more pleasant and safe experience for pedestrians and shoppers leading to increased use. The study also concluded that where similar roads had been pedestrianised elsewhere in the country the local businesses had benefited from an increase in trade. However, the Council has committed that a pedestrianisation scheme will not be introduced until a pilot (trial) pedestrianisation has been tested on a temporary basis and the results fully evaluated.

Key Features (Pilot Scheme):

• Pedestrianise The Crescent for a trial period to be agreed with the traders (possibly 12 months beginning Spring 2009). All traffic to be prohibited except for deliveries loading and unloading purposes during permitted fixed times

• No changes to existing road and pavement surfaces (except speed cushion across entrance with traffic restriction signs)

• Provide temporary planters, seats & litter bins for the duration of the trial period

• Provide 2 disabled parking bays in a suitable location on Banks Road as close as is reasonably practicable to its junction with The Crescent

• Develop evaluation and review process with traders to measure effectiveness of pilot scheme

 

South Parade (The Promenade) Parking Proposals:

A number of residents have expressed a desire for increased car parking in the area. There is an opportunity to increase the parking provision on South Parade if a reduction to the width of the current promenade pavement is made.

The Council’s proposals are for drive-in ‘echelon’ parking spaces along the whole frontage of South Parade allowing cars to be parked at 45 degrees facing out to the Dee. Road safety regulations dictate that such parking bays can only be provided if accompanied by 20mph speed restrictions and associated physical traffic calming measures. An additional 35 parking spaces could be created on South Parade if this form of parking was introduced. This figure could be further increased up to approximately 70 spaces if the parking restrictions were removed from in front of the ‘Ovens’ seating areas outside Coronation Gardens.

These proposals are an engineering measure to increase parking capacity. Unlike The Crescent and Dee Lane proposals there are no plans in this scheme to resurface the promenade with new paving. However, new street furniture will be provided where replacement of the existing is warranted.

Key Features:

• Provide drive-in ‘echelon’ parking bays to increase number of available parking spaces by up to 35 (could be increased by up to 70 with removal of restrictions in front of the ‘Ovens’ seating, but with obscured views)

• Reduce width of the promenade pavement by between 1.2m-1.8m (4ft-6ft)

• Introduce a 20 mph speed limit

• Introduce traffic calming measures (speed tables, raised junction tables)

• Provide additional pedestrian crossing points

• Refurbish or replace existing seats and litter bins where necessary