New Merseyside wetland to tackle flooding set to move forward

Land between West Kirby and Hoylake that could be turned into new wetlands
-Credit:Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo


Wirral Council looks set to move forward with plans to create a new wetlands area between two towns in the west of the borough. The project is intended to protect homes from flooding along the River Birket and is backed by £430,000 of Environment Agency funding.

The wetlands would be created across 60 hectares of what is currently tenanted agricultural land called the Hoylake Carrs between West Kirby and Hoylake that is known to flood. The Birket, a tributary of the River Mersey, runs through the site on its route to Meols, Moreton, and Leasowe before it drains into the Birkenhead docks.

The scheme has been in development for a number of years with funding announced for the project last year following a bid by the council with the Cheshire Wildlife Trust. The project has had a positive reception so far amongst some campaign groups looking to protect the area from development who described it as “fantastic news.”

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A report to a Wirral Council committee meeting on November 27 said it would reduce flooding downstream in Meols while also improving biodiversity in the area. The farmland the wetlands will be created on is considered poor quality.

The scheme is expected to be completed by March 2027 with barriers introduced to slow water flow and redirect it onto the flood plain, shallow channels and pools created to keep water back, and other improvements to wildlife habitats. This is expected to significantly reduce the amount of water flowing downstream when it rains and maintaining the wetland is expected to be minimal.

A wetland could also generate an income for Wirral Council as the local authority could appoint someone to graze the land with cattle seasonally. Costs will also be kept low with as little physical infrastructure as possible and further funding could come from developments elsewhere on the Wirral.

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Sibject to committee approval, the Cheshire Wildlife Trust is planning to start engaging with the public, local community and environmental groups, as well as council planning in early 2025. The area is currently inaccessible to the public and this is expected to continue with no impact on nearby footpaths.

Cheshire Wildlife Trust will deliver the scheme through an agreement with Wirral Council with a commitment to establish a local group of volunteers to contribute to the long term success of the new wetland.