The next stage of development of the Northbank neighbourhood at Peel L&P's Wirral Waters is set to proceed following the selection of Eric Wright Civil Engineering (EWCE) as the main contractor for extensive public realm infrastructure.
The public realm works will support the delivery of the first stages of residential development at the Northbank Quarter at East Float, Wirral Waters, improving connectivity to local bus and rail services and making Northbank ‘investment ready’.
The works will see the construction of an ‘upper boardwalk’ pedestrian and cycleway link along the northern dock edge of East Float, creating an attractive waterside thoroughfare and providing the public with access to the dock edge for the first time in over a century.
A series of four contemporary squares are also planned, connecting the Dock Road pedestrian and cycleway public realm works to the dock edge, improving connectivity and enhancing the health and wellbeing of local people.
As part of the public realm works, students at the nearby Wirral Met Construction Campus will be given the opportunity to gain first-hand construction knowledge, with visits to the site and workshops with the project contractors. This is part of Peel L&P’s overall ambition to develop local construction skills and create the workforce of the future at Wirral Waters.
Local construction companies will also be given the opportunity to contribute to and deliver parts of the public realm works via the Wirral Construction Forum.
EWCE has also been appointed to extend a walking and cycling route that marks the boundary of the Northbank neighbourhood. This work will see construction of 590 metres of shared cycleway and footpath next to the A5139 Dock Road between East Float Apartments and Duke Street. As part of this extension, EWCE will also be undertaking additional landscaping as well as installing boundary fencing, new street lighting columns and digital infrastructure.
Commenting on the selection of EWCE for the Northbank public realm works, Richard Mawdsley, Director of Development at Wirral Waters, said:
“Northbank Quarter will be the first residential development at Wirral Waters and these public realm works are the first stage in creating a green, walkable, pleasant neighbourhood at the heart of Wirral’s traditional dockland area.”
“So, we are very pleased to have selected EWCE to undertake the public realm works at the Northbank Quarter at Wirral Waters. EWCE has extensive experience of delivering exceptional quality public realm infrastructure and we look forward to working with them.”
“It’s also great news that local construction students at Wirral Met will have the opportunity to see the works first-hand and speak to the contractors; giving them crucial experience and insight to prepare them for their careers in construction.”
Cllr Anita Leech, Chair of the Economy, Regeneration and Development Committee at Wirral Council, said:
“Sustainable and active travel is something that the Council will need to continuously build into our major projects and I am pleased that another major scheme is focusing on making active travel more accessible for residents.”
“Considering the environment must be a significant factor in highway and public realm projects as we work to provide an infrastructure more suitable for the future.”
Commenting on behalf of Eric Wright Civil Engineering, Managing Director Diane Bourne said:
“We are delighted to be involved in this transformational regeneration project constructing a sustainable transport network and high-quality green environment at Northbank, Wirral Waters.
“It is good to see the creation of a cycling and pedestrian network as an integrated part of the Wirral Waters development.”
Work will begin on site this month.
