WIRRAL Council could soon make a major decision soon about whether to buy an old railway line that it is hoping to transform into a £15m new park. The local authority has been developing plans for a new park in Birkenhead that will run along the old Dock Branch trainline that cuts through the town centre.

The local authority intends to create the park along the line which stretches from Tower Road near Wirral Waters to Green Lane train station. It was last used in the 1980s but it’s hoped these plans will be a catalyst for the regeneration of Birkenhead by making it more attractive for development.

The first stage will be a 1.1km stretch from Tower Road near Wirral Waters to Argyle Street and could feature new landscapes, a cycle and walking route, gardens, and wildlife habitats.  A new 1,200 capacity events space is also planned as part of the new park that will be connected to Future Yard, a live music venue, café, bar and arts space on Argyle Street.

Wirral Council is currently looking for a contractor to take on the project which will eventually connect to Green Lane train station. In September, the council said it was waiting on a decision by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority about whether to award £15m towards the project.

At an economy and regeneration meeting on October 14, councillors are expected to be given an update on buying land required for the park to go ahead though any details are being kept confidential. It is then expected to be referred to the council’s Policy and Resources committee which oversees key financial decisions in November 2024.

The council will be making a decision about whether to buy the old trainline off Network Rail following an assessment of the bridges along it before it goes ahead. This wouldn’t be the first land purchase for the scheme either as the council previously purchased 2 to 4 Dacre Street for £165,000.

At an economy, regeneration, and housing committee on September 16, a report said the plans for the new park are currently considered “in doubt” in a report published before the committee but discussions were ongoing with Network Rail as well as other partners on the project.

In September, council officer Rebeccah Lowry, said the rating reflected the current status of the project at this point in time. She said the project is still waiting for a funding decision over the £15m describing it as a “key milestone,” adding: “We won’t have more certainty until we get past that.”

She said: “Not to be silent on it but we are aware we don’t have ownership of the line at the moment and that will pull [the rating] down until we get that committed as well.”