Birkenhead Park in line for £2m restoration boost

A Wirral Park has been awarded £2m for restoration work and visitor improvements in support its bid to achieve Unesco World Heritage status.

Wirral Council said the funding for Birkenhead Park had been approved by councillors and would support a major programme of work in the Grade I-listed grounds.

The money, from the government's Local Regeneration Fund, will be used to restore historic features, improve accessibility, upgrade visitor facilities and deliver wider infrastructure improvements.

The park, which opened in 1847, was designed by architect Joseph Paxton - who also designed London's famous Crystal Palace - and later influenced the design of New York's Central Park.

Council papers described the park as a "destination anchor" within the Birkenhead 2040 regeneration programme.

The report said the improvements were expected to enhance the visitor experience, increase local economic activity and support health and wellbeing.

The funding comes from a wider pot of £4.17m in unallocated regeneration grant funding, which must be spent by 31 March 2028.

Councillor Helen Raymond backed the plans at a committee meeting and said the council should "make a big thing" of the park.

She said it was "a big attraction" and could help draw more visitors from across the UK and overseas.

The park was recently named as one of 22 UK destinations on Unesco's UK Industrial Heritage Trail, which links places connected to the UK's industrial heritage.

Council leader Paula Basnett said the funding was "an important step" towards Unesco World Heritage status.

She said it would help preserve the park's historic character, improve the visitor experience and strengthen Birkenhead's reputation as "a place to visit, invest and be proud of".

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