Start date for work on wetlands between two towns

Officials hope the project between West Kirby and Hoylake will reduce flood risk

Work to create wetlands between two towns is expected to begin late next year.

It is hoped the project between West Kirby and Hoylake will reduce the area's flood risk and create a new nature reserve that will attract visitors.

Earlier this year, Wirral Council was awarded £430,000 of flood management funds to create a new wetland across Hoylake Carrs.

Ponds, grassland and marsh, woodland and other habitats will be created over a three-year period.

Public access

According to a briefing to councillors, water will be kept back by a small "lip" around the edge of the land with shallow ponds and ditches "to create an ideal habitat for wintering waders and wildfowl".

This will support wildlife in the Dee Estuary, which is an internationally important habitat for migrating birds.

The public will still be able to access the area with new board walks.

The land outlined for the project sits to the northeast of the Gilroy Nature Park - reportedly home to 43 different types of bird - on the edge of West Kirby.

Tourism boost

Councillor Liz Grey, chair of Wirral's environment committee, previously said the proposal for a wetland had been suggested by a campaign group against luxury golf resort plans on the same land.

The council had been independently working on a wetland proposal for several years.

In March, she said the scheme would improve access to the area, education opportunities and protect an area of green belt land from development, adding: "It's absolutely wonderful, but important for the local community as it protects the land for the community for years to come."

Places like a wetland in Martin Mere in Lancashire see up to 200,000 visitors a year, bringing £6m into the local economy.

The council's biodiversity net gain strategy report also highlighted work to create 30 new wildflower meadows across Wirral, with work expected to begin in February.

The local authority is working with 80 schools on environmental issues and organised 13 community planting events.

Wirral Council was previously rated number one for biodiversity action across all English councils by environmental organisation Climate Emergency UK.