Residents have been left cheesed off after council chiefs tore down a road scheme resembling giant Wotsits. Located on a 170-yard stretch in Birkenhead, Merseyside, the road-calming initiative was completed last winter.
Costing an almighty £300,000, the controversial makeover took over Grange Road West from Charing Cross junction and Clayton Street. The pavement and road were covered with paintings by Wirral Council, introduced as a trial for a one-way system with the hopes of easing traffic.
Locals blast 'hideous' designs
But while it may have calmed traffic, it riled up locals, who blasted the peculiar orange-and-yellow, crisp-shaped designs as 'hideous', while some said it looked like a 'children's playground'. As a result, the road was later dubbed 'Wotsit Street'.
Residents were even more annoyed, however, when the council announced the project, which included planters and benches, would now be removed. Two residents branded the whole thing a 'farce', including Brian Kearsley, who added: 'Wirral Council staff concerned with this development should be disciplined, and the consultants never used again.'
'The waste of the cost should be reimbursed to the council taxpayers!' Bernie Cooke also asked if 'anyone at the council' will be held responsible, while a business owner who has a shop on the street called them 'disgusting'.
Peter Dunn added: 'This £300,000 so-called “traffic calming scheme” made clowns of Wirral Borough Council and was highly insulting to the good people of Birkenhead.'
Some visitors welcomed
Though not everyone was angered by the news, as one woman – who didn't want to be named – said there were 'more people visiting Wotsit Street' than Grange Road had 'ever had before'.
Leader of Wirral Council, Councillor Paula Basnett, confirmed that the furniture on Grange Road West will be gone by the end of August. She also revealed that the markings are expected to be removed by the end of September. New images show the barren street with 'horrid' red-and-white plastic bollards blocking off the areas where the fixtures once stood.
Trial and next steps
The council recently said that letters have been sent to businesses on the road 'outlining the next phase of changes' and 'new measures to help support local traders'. Wotsit Street came about as part of a six-month test run by the council to see if a one-way traffic system could create safer routes into Birkenhead town centre.
The eyesore changes followed two public consultations, which took place between November 2022 and July 2023. The scheme was approved by the council before the contract was successfully awarded in March 2024. As a result, Graham's (John Graham Ltd) was given £2.9million of the £25m award by the government to Wirral's Future High Street Fund (FHSF) programme, of which some of the money was used towards the work.
At the time, chiefs said it would improve the Birkenhead Town Centre area by transforming it into a pleasant place to shop rather than being cluttered by cars. Over the short period, the council said they monitored traffic impacts and listened to feedback from residents, businesses and visitors. But they have now revealed the temporary features created 'significant concern locally'.
The council said they will retain the one-way traffic system on Grange Road West while reinstating parking along the street, following a review and feedback. Additional parking and loading bays will be put in place, designed to support local businesses and improve access for customers and deliveries. But the orange road surfacing and structures from the pilot scheme will not be part of the next stage.
Cllr Paula Basnett said: 'This trial has given us valuable evidence about what works for the area and what needs to change.'
'The one-way system has improved the operation of the Charing Cross junction, and we will retain it. We have also heard clearly from residents and businesses that parking and loading provision are important to the success of the area.'
'We are therefore moving forward with a revised scheme that brings back parking, provides additional loading and parking provision for local businesses, and removes the temporary planters, benches and coloured surfacing.'
She added that the purpose of a trial is to 'allow us to test changes' and 'use that evidence to shape the right long-term solution'. 'We want a scheme that works for everyone who lives, works, shops and trades here, while supporting the local business community.'
'We now have a clear way forward and will continue working with local businesses as these changes are delivered.' As for where the street furniture and planters will end up, according to the council, they'll be donated to schools and community groups.
