WORK is ongoing to remove a number of trees from the centre of Birkenhead.

Some people have raised concerns about the removal of trees but Wirral Council have said the work is “necessary”.

The work is part of two major improvement schemes in the town centre which began in April.

Funded from a combination of sources, including the UK government’s Future High Street Fund (FHSF) and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s Active Travel fund, the programmes will complement the wider Birkenhead regeneration plans that are already underway in the town.

One of the highway schemes covers the area close to Conway Park railway station and Birkenhead bus station.

On Conway Street, between Hemingford Street and Argyle Street, there will be a full replacement of the footpath on the north side of the road and new trees planted.

There will also be segregated cycleway created on the north side of the road with better pedestrian and cycle crossing points along Conway Street. 

As part of the same scheme, the existing dual carriageway on Europa Boulevard will be reduced and a new cycleway created using the west side of the carriageway and two-way traffic being introduced on the east side of Europa Boulevard. This part of the scheme also includes replacement of the current paving.

The final part of this scheme will see the Europa Square car park reconfigured to provide a better, safer connection for pedestrians and cyclists between Birkenhead bus station and Conway Park railway station.

It will result in the loss of 50 car parking spaces in the car park.

The other scheme, which is fully funded by a £2.9m award from the Future High Streets Fund, is taking place around Charing Cross and the junction with Grange Road and Grange Road West. 

The junction itself will see improved pedestrian crossings and new paving installed, while on Grange Road there will also be new paving, as well as new trees planted to complement the existing ones and there will be an increased focus on preventing vehicles accessing this area outside of loading times.

A Wirral Council spokesperson said: “The removal of these trees was necessary to accommodate the design and landscape features that form part of the new highway and travel improvement schemes at both Grange Road West/Charing Cross/Grange Road and Europa Boulevard/Conway Street/Europa Square in Birkenhead.

“Once the schemes are completed there will be three times as many trees in these areas than there was before, as well as other landscape and design improvements that will enhance the environment.

“The work took place under direct guidance from an ecologist who was there to monitor and advise on any potential factors, such as nesting birds or other habitats, prior to the removal of each tree.

“The schemes have been the subject of public consultation and gone through the appropriate decision-making process.”

Further details of the schemes can be seen at https://www.wirral.gov.uk/projecteuropa and https://www.wirral.gov.uk/projectgrange.