Public fury as Wirral dockside development threatens world-famous view [31 March 2001]
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A WIRRAL council decision to allow
developers to revoke public access to a historic Victorian waterfront
path has sparked national outrage.
 The
path at 12 Quays on the banks of the Mersey boasts unique views of the
famous Liver Buildings - a proposed World Heritage Site - across the
river in Liverpool, yet it is now blocked with high fences and ‘No
Access' signs.
Despite the route being a favourite with
the people of Merseyside for over a century developers are denying the
public has any right to walk there.
The Ramblers' Association is leading the campaign to save the historic
route, bringing national organisations such as Friends of the Earth,
Pedestrians' Association, Women's Institute and Open Spaces Society
together along with 40 other local and regional groups representing
100,000 people in the region.
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The first many people heard of the
closure was in July 2000 when crowds flocked to the path to watch the
cruise liner the QE2 sail past the Liver Buildings only to find their
way blocked.
Furious residents discovered the council had given planning permission
in principle for a roll-on, roll-off ferry terminal and lorry yard, and
that the waterfront route was to be obliterated, even though it could
easily be incorporated into the development.
Despite receiving hundreds of letters and petitions, and promising to
maintain a continuous coastal walking route, the council has allowed the
plans to go through even though a small modification would allow the
ferry terminal and lorry park to be built and the path maintained.
Developers Mersey Docks and Harbour Company state there is no right of
way, claiming that people who had been using the path were trespassing.
The council has ignored Government guidance which states that
developments cannot interfere with rights of way and that councils must
take into account any public rights of way claimed across development
sites. Wirral council has also ignored its own planning policy which
states that any development that threatens views of the Liverpool
skyline will not be permitted.
Despite not being on the official map, there is strong evidence the
walkway should be protected. The path was designated in a Victorian Act
of Parliament and was refurbished with thousands of pounds of public
money in the 1990s.
The council refused to accept this evidence, and so the RA has now
appealed to the Secretary of State who can force the council to make an
order to register the way, and we are hoping for a decision on the
appeal by the end of this year. Although the development is almost
complete, any diversion of the path would be lengthy and
impracticable. Since there are new proposals for a new North West
Coastal Path National Trail, and this would be a key section,
campaigners are adamant that eventually the path and views of Liverpool
will be saved for future generations. Watch this space.
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