Have you walked or even cycled on the Wirral Way recently, I want your views, what for instance do think should be the next step forward?
The Wirral Way surface has been greatly improved from Heswall right through to West Kirby,
1: How often would you like to see new seating or even a picnic bench and tables, set back off the main path to make a small sanctuary to enjoy the peace and tranquillity amongst beautiful surroundings, listen to the birdsong?
2: Do you think it would be a good idea to maybe plant a tree, scatter seeds for wild flowers, maybe plant bulbs, and shrubs for instance?
3: Are you prepared to make a donation to do this and maybe leave a legacy for future generations to enjoy?
Then talk to the rangers 648 4371
Perhaps you think it should be left to its own natural devices with some small modicum of control?
4: Should there be better speed control to prevent reckless cyclists from belting along and endangering those on foot. Do you have an idea how this can be achieved?
5: Should Cyclist keep to single file on one side of the track, leaving the other side free for those on foot? Note Dogs, must at all times be under control.
6: If you have a view or opinion let’s hear about it, are you prepared to do something, will you support actions to control circumstances; it is after all your local amenity of great importance to you and your health and wellbeing. Enjoyed by your community, what are you doing about improving or enhancing the whole experience? Tell Me. ??????
About the park
The Wirral Country Park was the first of its kind in Great Britain. Once a great western rail track from West Kirby to Hooton it was closed to passengers in the late 1950s then lay largely disused and abandoned and finally closed completely in 1962, when Captain Lawrence Beswick DSM started a campaign to utilise this 12-mile stretch of unique countryside.
With the assistance of the Countryside Commission, he persuaded local urban district councils to apply for grants to create the Wirral Way, with a Wirral Country Park Centre.
Work started in 1969 and was completed in 1973 when Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire, Lord Leverhulm officially opened the park. The commemorative plaque on its sandstone plinth stands in the country park open space before the visitors centre at Thurstaston. The visitor's centre overlooks the magnificent vista of the River Dee Estuary, a site of special scientific interest.
The creation of this interesting pathway involved removal of over 30 miles of rail track and thousands of sleepers, digging and forming drainage channels, levelling and consolidating thousands of tons of gravel or ballast and the removal of some brick built road bridges etc.
Very little of its rail heritage remains today, except part of the station platform at Thurstaston, and of course a preserved 1950 style railway station at Hadlow Road Hooton. Occasionally, you may see railway incline signs indicating a degree of climb or descent, buried in the undergrowth.
The whole track is accessible for walking, cycling, horse riding, and is for the most part completely off road, with no traffic. If not quite level, the Wirral Way has only easy gradients, making it ideal for gentle exercise for all ages including disabled access.
Over the years, much of the Wirral Way, now under the control of two authorities since 1974, has become rather overgrown and restricted in parts down to less than a metre in width This was quite gloomy and muddy in winter months.
A view from the cliffs down to the magnificent beach formation and the Sailing club boats in the distance make an idyllic peaceful setting.
New wider Footpath cleared of some of the overgrowth allows a clear route and easier maintenance for the parks & gardens staff to keep brambles and weeds down to a more manageable level
However, in 2005 work began at the West Kirby end to widen the pathway and construct a decent footpath, cut back some of the undergrowth and over growth, remove unwanted trees. With the provision of new fences, gates, signs, and picnic areas the Wirral Way was transformed.
Pedestrian access to the beach is an exercise in physical enjoyment. No matter how many times people count the steps, nobody ever seems to agree on the total! En route you may encounter wild life native to the Wirral Country Park (WCP) plus many species of birds in this special shoreline environment.
The breathtaking views across the Dee to the North Wales coast are an established favourite of photographers with ever changing seasonal configurations of cloud, sea, sunrise, sunset, and panorama.
Kite flying is also a popular recreation here. As is paragliding. The Para Gliders use the cliffs to launch into space over the beach below. So there is always something of interest to do or watch all year round.
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