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BIRKENHEAD 2040 FRAMEWORK APPROVED
Councillors have approved plans which will underpin the once in a lifetime transformation of Birkenhead and the surrounding area .
The Birkenhead 2040 Framework represents one of the most aspirational regeneration programmes in the country and will see the town given a new lease of life .
Now members of the council ’ s Economy , Regeneration and Development Committee have approved the Framework which will also be a key document supporting Wirral ’ s emerging Local Plan .
The Framework was put together based on what residents and local businesses have told the council is important to them .
One of the key elements of the Framework is the creation of more family-friendly neighbourhoods and includes a beautiful new park along the route through the town centre of the disused Dock Branch railway , one of the first rail lines in the country , which will help bring to life a long-neglected part of the Birkenhead ’ s heritage .
Other elements include opening up the Mersey waterfront and reconnecting it to the revitalised town centre , while 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 and given easy access to the town through the removal of the two flyovers to the Queensway Tunnel .
The Birkenhead 2040 Framework will also play a key role in supporting 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 lowcost heating to new developments across the town .
And through delivery of new offices in the town centre more people will be brought back into the centre to support local shops , while the historic Birkenhead Market will be given a modern fit-for-purpose new home .
Cllr Tony Jones , Chair of Wirral Council ’ s Economic Regeneration and Development Committee , said : “ We began this process by asking people what they would like to see and how they thought we can bring new life to Birkenhead , and this Framework shows we have heard what they said .
“ Work is already moving ahead , at Wirral Waters , at Eureka in Seacombe , in Birkenhead town centre and beyond . And now this Birkenhead 2040 Framework will support the development of Wirral ’ s Local Plan , focus on redeveloping brownfield sites on the east of the borough to meet our housing needs and underpin a key element of the regeneration which will make a real difference to the lives of the people of Wirral .” merseylife . com 29