CONSTRUCTION of a new flood defence wall in West Kirby is due to start next year.
The 1.1km long-curved wall along South Parade, between the junctions with Sandy Lane and Riversdale Road, was approved by Wirral Council’s planning committee last week.
The flood wall proposal had caused controversy locally, with some claiming it will “ruin” and “destroy” the character of the coastal town.
A petition against the plan gained more than 1,100 signatures, while there were also 220 comments registered on the council’s website with 198 against the plan and just 19 in favour.
However, the committee passed it, with a majority believing the wall was needed to protect life and property in the area.
With planning consent now in place – the committee voted five to two in favour – work is anticipated to start in February and last until next October.
During the work, temporary road and footpath closures will be in place for short sections of South Parade at a time, with access for residents only.
The barrier’s design will resemble a wave with a continuous curve containing seating, memorial or celebratory plaques, access points and crossing spaces.
The scheme also includes an upgraded public realm, including new paving and highway on South Parade, refurbishment of the Old Baths and introduction of a dedicated cycle lane.
Explaining why the flood wall is needed, a council spokesperson said: “Since December 2013 there have been more than 20 flood events at West Kirby, with four considered significant.
“With sea levels rising, the issue is only going to get worse.
“A number of different options were considered for providing the necessary protection, but the concept of a barrier adjacent to the highway was identified as the preferred option by the council and which met national environmental, technical and financial criteria for grant aid funding from the Environment Agency.
“The scheme will protect 70 properties at risk of flooding now from extreme tidal events and give more than 500 properties improved protection over the next century as sea levels rise.”
Funding for the project is from a £2.2m flood defence grant, a £1m contribution from other Central Government funding streams and money from Wirral Council’s capital programme for infrastructure projects.
An initial consultation took place in 2015 and again in 2019, following confirmation of Environment Agency funding.
Changes made to the proposal as a result of public opinion included:
- A continuous curving seat rather than the original vertical straight structure.
- Timber-slat seating on the sitting feature within the wall.
- The promenade will be finished in a sandy-buff colour, with colours extended across onto the footpath on the landward side of South Parade.
- Public realm features such as gateways across the highway and onto the promenade at all of the pedestrian access points, highlighted with icons linking to the local environment.
- The highway and the landward footpath are to be resurfaced, with a clearly marked cycle lane provided within the one-way highway arrangement.
- A circular trail around the promenade and lake, with distance markers counting up and down every 100m.
- The Marine Lake railings will be refurbished and the original shelters renovated and relocated to keep the Victorian heritage.
- The wall will be constructed around the new West Kirby Sailing Centre building.
- Refurbishment of the Old Baths Site will create a new 1500m2 events space.
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