Cracked paving. Faded road markings. Pot holes. Visual clutter. Orcas, bollards, barriers, and signage slapped onto every corner like afterthoughts. And at the centre of it all: Birkenhead town centre, still dug up and fenced off because the council can’t even manage to lay a bit of paving outside the Pyramids. The whole regeneration is delayed, over-budget, and a visual mess. If we can’t even fix the pavement outside our main shopping precinct, what hope is there for deliver

If you were looking for a case study in bureaucratic breakdown, strategic contradiction, and reactionary politics, look no further than Liscard. Wirral Council has spent the last four years publicly promoting cycling, face coverings, and active travel. But now? They want to criminalise all three.

I’ll be blunt: I’m deeply disappointed by this review. Not because I expected miracles, but because I expected honesty. Instead, Wirral Council has delivered a document that feels less like an objective assessment and more like a pre-written defence.

Imagine cycling from Birkenhead to Liscard or from Seacombe Ferry to Wirral Waters—without battling traffic, potholes, or painted tokenism masquerading as infrastructure. That’s exactly what London’s Islington to Whitechapel route achieves: a seamless, 18-minute journey across neighbourhoods via quiet streets, protected lanes, and well-connected LTNs.

This post supports my recent article, Bin the Bollards, by detailing how I sourced and verified crash data on Duke Street. It shows step by step how the evidence doesn’t support the claim that wand orcas are needed for cyclist safety.

This piece was written in direct response to Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee - Monday, 16th June 2025 6.00 p.m decision to approve the Duke Street Active Travel Scheme.