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1. Past

Until the 1990s, Bidston Moss was landfill and was most recently classed as ‘unsafe for public access.’

Groundwork Wirral have been working on Bidston Moss since 1995; restoring parts of the site and carrying out greening work with an overall goal of developing the area for education, research and community use. However, significant investment was still needed to expand this work across the whole project area and deliver the ambitious plans. Bidston Moss also makes up part of The Mersey Forest - the Community Forest for Merseyside and North Cheshire - which is delivering environmental improvement projects across large parts of area.

Motorbikes and vandals have caused problems in the past but security measures have been implemented at Bidston Moss in an attempt to prevent further anti-social behaviour.

As Bidston Moss could be seen by road and rail users alike and lies close to several large residential areas - Birkenhead North End, Bidston Rise, Poulton and Leasowe - it was giving a negative impression of the area.

2. Present

Work is well underway on the regeneration of Bidston Moss into community woodland. The aim is to improve the local environment, enhance the setting for the local housing market and transport network as well as encouraging new investment.

A lake at the eastern edge of the site is to create an attractive and interesting habitat for local residents and schools to enjoy with opportunities for fishing and pond dipping.

New cycle routes link in with the existing National Cycle Network and a new pedestrian bridge will be opened over Wirral’s mainline train track. In fact, Bidston Moss will become a key part of a broader cycling provision scheme with Wirral Borough Council and SUSTRANS - the national transport charity.

3. Future

Upon completion, the community woodland at Bidston Moss will provide new and accessible land for the local community to use in a positive way, bringing local people together and contributing to the health, prosperity and positive image of the area. Biffaward have also contributed a grant to the project that will see further and enhanced sports facilities for cycling and informal recreation.

The project area contains a Site of Specific Biological Importance and will continue to be home to rare and protected species including barn owls and lapwings.

At the heart of Bidston Moss, the Materials Recycling Centre, operated by Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority, is currently well used and set for further investment.

4. Regeneration

How Newlands at Bidston Moss is helping your local economy

The regeneration of Bidston Moss will create a key gateway site to transform the image of the City Region of Liverpool. The project will enhance the M53 corridor whilst supporting other strategic investments for Capital of Culture 2008 and ensure the delivery of a beacon site within the Mersey Waterfront Regional Park.

The rejuvenation of Bidston Moss will encourage inward business investment and assist in tackling the needs of an area in the top 5% of the national Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD). Bidston Moss will also add value to the adjacent Housing Market Renewal (HMR) Pathfinder area.