The Committee received a position statement on the deterioration of the Rock Ferry River Wall and Esplanade and a request for financial support for urgent repairs.  Members noted that the River Wall and Esplanade were an important part of the Rock Park Conservation Area and formed a vital part of the Mersey Coastal Park Strategy which sought to open up public access to the waterfront from Rock Park to Eastham Country Park. This area provided an important and accessible leisure resource for the local community and was used regularly by walkers and cyclists as well as by those who visited the area.  These activities also contributed to improving the health and well being of local people. The River Wall and Esplanade were listed structures and formed an important part of Wirral’s heritage along with the properties in Rock Park. The area had been built between the 1830’s and 1850’s.

Members noted that although there had been some small scale repairs, the storms and high tides of Winter 2013/14 had seen a marked deterioration in the River Wall once again. Whilst, ownership of the River Wall structure was being explored there was an urgent need for further immediate repair work to improve the current condition. It was estimated that a sum of between £5,000 and £10,000 would enable the immediate repair works to be done to the River Wall and this would then provide time for ownership to be established and for external funding opportunities to be explored again.  Some of this funding would also be used to repair the Esplanade as the Rock Park Estate Company did not have funding available for these repairs. Any works would need to be undertaken in consultation with the Council’s Conservation Officers as the structure was listed.  

A full refurbishment of the River Wall and Esplanade would cost approximately £2m and at the present time (and for the foreseeable future) external funding was extremely limited and very competitive when it is available.  

RESOLVED: That

(1)  £10,000 be provided from the Committee’s budget allocation for 2014/15 to fund the urgently needed repair works to the River Wall and Esplanade at Rock Park to maintain this asset for the benefit of local residents in terms of their recreation, health and heritage;

(2)  Officers be requested to continue to work with the local MP and Rock Park Estate Company to establish ownership of the River Wall structure; and

(3)  whilst it is recognised that external funding is limited and very competitive every effort be made by Ward Councillors and Officers to identify and secure external resources to enable a long term refurbishment of the Esplanade.