Wirral Country Park & The Wirral Way
This was once a very busy railway line, nearly 12 miles long, linking West Kirby to Hooton. Built by the Victorians in the eighteen hundreds, further extended forty years later, closed in the early sixties and derelict for around 10 years, BUT NOW the Wirral Way is undergoing a transformation.
In1969, thanks to the wisdom of the Countryside Commission together with Cheshire County Council and urged on by Captain Lawrence Beswick DSM, a lot of hard work contributed to this unique stretch of land becoming the first Country Park in the whole of Great Britain.
Freely allowing the public access to some of the most pleasant off road walking and panoramic view in this part of the world over looking the River Dee.
Since 1974, when some boundary changes took place Wirral Borough Council became responsible for about half of the total route of the Wirral Way. Unfortunately due to many other pressures very little money was spent on the Wirral Country Park and the Wirral Way, competing priorities for rate payers funds meant that parks and gardens rather fell behind for maintenance. Unfortunately, this unique and very special feature was allowed to get so overgrown that what was once wide enough for trains to traverse was reduced to little more than a dirt track less than a metre wide, and quite overgrown.
What few Country Park Rangers we have in the park, have more than enough on their hands to be of service to the estimated 300, 000 annual visitors to the “Country Park Centre” based at Thurstaston.
Yet with sheer dedication they have managed, and started on the mammoth task, of clearing away over thirty years of overgrowth, debris and neglect, so that the public can walk, ramble, ride on horse back and even cycle along the Wirral Way. It is far away from the traffic, you can breathe fresh air and enjoy the Flora and Fauna together with magnificent views across the river Dee to the Welsh Hills. The river Dee, estuary now being of enormous importance a triple S I, ( "Site of Special Scientific Interest".)
The Wirral Country Park Advisory Group spent a number of years in monthly meetings and dialogue with the Park Rangers and Council Officers offering advice or airing concerns about the continued deterioration of the footpaths, fences, gates, and the limited access for pedestrians and horse riders alike.
On some occasions, various combinations of track levels were swapped about and some efforts at re-instatements with gravel to footpaths took place but it was largely an uphill battle.
In 2005 a hand full of Advisory Group Members, took action put their hands in to pockets and with very limited resources launched the "Wirral County Park Friends Group.” The group have received invaluable practical assistance from the Park Rangers and enthusiastic council officers
Everybody Realising what was needed now is a great deal of true intent and purpose, plus some money, funding, grants, and matched spending by the council, to at least cut back the undergrowth, clear some of the trees blocking the path, remove or shred up the debris, and relay some simple footpaths, restoring this special unique leisure feature for generations to come. Especially with huge sporting venues in the pipeline for Hoylake and Merseyside in general. This Wirral Way track passes two excellent golf courses and will provide generations with healthy exercise plus great pleasure to young and old alike.
We are not talking about millions of pounds here, but an outlay of thousands will return something absolutely priceless, in an age when we are all supposed to eat healthily, exercise in safety, and appreciate the countryside around us. Wirral Borough Council have an opportunity to show the public what value for money they can provide.
The first few miles from West Kirby to Thurstaston visitors centre has been tackled and improved beyond all recognition with a clear wider footpath, decent surface suitable for foot or cycle use, new fences, gates, picnic sites, signs, etc and better access for future maintenance and upkeep.
The resultant increase of public usage is proof itself as to just how much this was needed and the desire to go further with a planned horse riding track, etc.
Walking on the Wirral Way is a superb route of enjoyable exercise. Formerly a rail track, there are no steep gradients, the path may seem long and straight at times, but there are also many twists and turns to discover, unusual aspects of Flora & Fauna and the occasional seat amid complete harmony.
The whole route has numerous places of interest, plus various locations where walkers and riders often divert from the main trail on to smaller paths leading to other Parks and Open Spaces. Alternatively, there are special footpaths to the dungeons, and routes to the other parts of the beach, plus of course "watering holes" for hospitality and refreshments.
This superb off-road amenity offers a perfect avenue for cyclists, especially for the family. Youngsters can learn to ride in complete safety, away from the busy traffic and what could be a better activity for healthy childhood growth.