Wallasey Pool
Encyclopedia
Wallasey Pool was a natural tidal inlet of water that separated the towns of Wallasey
and Birkenhead
on the Wirral Peninsula
, England
. Originally flowing directly into the River Mersey
, it was converted into the sophisticated Birkenhead Dock system from the 1820s onwards by land reclamation
, with the main portion of the pool becoming known as the Great Float
. In 1933, with the exception of a small lake, the head of Wallasey Pool at Poulton
was converted into Bidston Dock
. By 2003, this dock had been filled in.
development will transform the docklands area into business, Leisure and Retail facilities
Egerton Bridge is situated between Egerton Dock
and Morpeth Dock
and is a bascule bridge
. It was built between 1928 and 1931, replacing an earlier hydraulic
swing bridge
. The bridge and the machine house were completely restored in 1993 and opened to the public in 1995.
A red girdered bascule bridge
at Tower Road connects the Seacombe
district of Wallasey with Birkenhead. Known as the Four Bridges, as originally four movable bridges existed along Tower Road: two between the Great Float and Alfred Dock, one between the Great Float and Wallasey Dock and one between the Great Float and Egerton Dock. When originally built, all four were hydraulic
swing bridge
types. In the 1930s most were replaced by bascule bridges.
Joining the southern end of the Poulton
district of Wallasey with the north end of Birkenhead, Duke Street bridge is also a bascule (see-saw) bridge but with painted green girders. Originally, it was also a swing bridge.
Furthest upstream is the Penny Bridge, which crosses the head of the pool to connect Poulton with Bidston
in Birkenhead. Replacing an earlier wooden bridge of 1843, the name derives from the 1896 one penny
toll to cross in one direction. The bridge was replaced again in 1926 and provided access to Bidston Dock
. The dock itself has been filled in and the bridge was replaced by a fixed roadway in 1996.
at the head of Wallasey Pool. In 1936 most of the land was given over to residential, commercial and industrial landfill
. Since the cessation of waste disposal operations in 1995, Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority and the charitable trust
Groundwork Wirral have undertaken environmental restoration works to landscape
the site.
^ www.wirralwaters.co.uk The New Docklands development Scheme
Wallasey
Wallasey is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral, in Merseyside, England, on the mouth of the River Mersey, at the northeastern corner of the Wirral Peninsula...
and Birkenhead
Birkenhead
Birkenhead is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral in Merseyside, England. It is on the Wirral Peninsula, along the west bank of the River Mersey, opposite the city of Liverpool...
on the Wirral Peninsula
Wirral Peninsula
Wirral or the Wirral is a peninsula in North West England. It is bounded by three bodies of water: to the west by the River Dee, forming a boundary with Wales, to the east by the River Mersey and to the north by the Irish Sea. Both terms "Wirral" and "the Wirral" are used locally , although the...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Originally flowing directly into the River Mersey
River Mersey
The River Mersey is a river in North West England. It is around long, stretching from Stockport, Greater Manchester, and ending at Liverpool Bay, Merseyside. For centuries, it formed part of the ancient county divide between Lancashire and Cheshire....
, it was converted into the sophisticated Birkenhead Dock system from the 1820s onwards by land reclamation
Land reclamation
Land reclamation, usually known as reclamation, is the process to create new land from sea or riverbeds. The land reclaimed is known as reclamation ground or landfill.- Habitation :...
, with the main portion of the pool becoming known as the Great Float
Great Float
The Great Float, is a body of water on the Wirral Peninsula, England formed from the natural tidal inlet, the Wallasey Pool. It is split into two large docks, East Float and West Float, both part of the Birkenhead Docks complex. The docks run approximately inland from the River Mersey, dividing...
. In 1933, with the exception of a small lake, the head of Wallasey Pool at Poulton
Poulton, Merseyside
Poulton is an area of the town of Wallasey, on the Wirral Peninsula, England. It is bordered by Liscard to the north, Seacombe and Egremont to the east and the Wallasey Pool - which gave the area its name - to the south.-History:...
was converted into Bidston Dock
Bidston Dock
Bidston Dock, was a dock at Birkenhead, Wirral Peninsula, England. It was situated to the west of the Great Float, between Bidston and Poulton.-History:...
. By 2003, this dock had been filled in.
Redevelopment
A new development has been approved for Birkenhead docks. The Wirral WatersWirral Waters
Wirral Waters is a large scale £4.5bn development that has been proposed by the company Peel Holdings for Birkenhead, on the Wirral Peninsula, England...
development will transform the docklands area into business, Leisure and Retail facilities
Bridges
Four road bridges cross the former Wallasey Pool, over what is now Birkenhead Docks:Egerton Bridge is situated between Egerton Dock
Egerton Dock
Egerton Dock, is a dock at Birkenhead, Wirral Peninsula, England. Named after Sir Philip de Malpas Grey Egerton who laid the foundation stone in October 1844, the dock was completed in 1847...
and Morpeth Dock
Morpeth Dock
Morpeth Dock is a dock at Birkenhead, Wirral Peninsula, England. Built between 1844 and 1847, it also consisted of a smaller branch dock to the east...
and is a bascule bridge
Bascule bridge
A bascule bridge is a moveable bridge with a counterweight that continuously balances the span, or "leaf," throughout the entire upward swing in providing clearance for boat traffic....
. It was built between 1928 and 1931, replacing an earlier hydraulic
Hydraulic machinery
Hydraulic machines are machinery and tools that use liquid fluid power to do simple work. Heavy equipment is a common example.In this type of machine, hydraulic fluid is transmitted throughout the machine to various hydraulic motors and hydraulic cylinders and which becomes pressurised according to...
swing bridge
Swing bridge
A swing bridge is a movable bridge that has as its primary structural support a vertical locating pin and support ring, usually at or near to its centre of gravity, about which the turning span can then pivot horizontally as shown in the animated illustration to the right...
. The bridge and the machine house were completely restored in 1993 and opened to the public in 1995.
A red girdered bascule bridge
Bascule bridge
A bascule bridge is a moveable bridge with a counterweight that continuously balances the span, or "leaf," throughout the entire upward swing in providing clearance for boat traffic....
at Tower Road connects the Seacombe
Seacombe
Seacombe is a district of the town of Wallasey, on the Wirral Peninsula, England. Administratively, Seacombe is a ward of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral. Before local government reorganisation in 1 April 1974, it was part of the County Borough of Wallasey, within the geographical county of...
district of Wallasey with Birkenhead. Known as the Four Bridges, as originally four movable bridges existed along Tower Road: two between the Great Float and Alfred Dock, one between the Great Float and Wallasey Dock and one between the Great Float and Egerton Dock. When originally built, all four were hydraulic
Hydraulic machinery
Hydraulic machines are machinery and tools that use liquid fluid power to do simple work. Heavy equipment is a common example.In this type of machine, hydraulic fluid is transmitted throughout the machine to various hydraulic motors and hydraulic cylinders and which becomes pressurised according to...
swing bridge
Swing bridge
A swing bridge is a movable bridge that has as its primary structural support a vertical locating pin and support ring, usually at or near to its centre of gravity, about which the turning span can then pivot horizontally as shown in the animated illustration to the right...
types. In the 1930s most were replaced by bascule bridges.
Joining the southern end of the Poulton
Poulton, Merseyside
Poulton is an area of the town of Wallasey, on the Wirral Peninsula, England. It is bordered by Liscard to the north, Seacombe and Egremont to the east and the Wallasey Pool - which gave the area its name - to the south.-History:...
district of Wallasey with the north end of Birkenhead, Duke Street bridge is also a bascule (see-saw) bridge but with painted green girders. Originally, it was also a swing bridge.
Furthest upstream is the Penny Bridge, which crosses the head of the pool to connect Poulton with Bidston
Bidston
Bidston is a suburb of Birkenhead, on the Wirral Peninsula, England. Administratively, it is also a ward of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral. Before local government reorganisation on 1 April 1974, it was part of the County Borough of Birkenhead, within the geographical county of Cheshire...
in Birkenhead. Replacing an earlier wooden bridge of 1843, the name derives from the 1896 one penny
Penny
A penny is a coin or a type of currency used in several English-speaking countries. It is often the smallest denomination within a currency system.-Etymology:...
toll to cross in one direction. The bridge was replaced again in 1926 and provided access to Bidston Dock
Bidston Dock
Bidston Dock, was a dock at Birkenhead, Wirral Peninsula, England. It was situated to the west of the Great Float, between Bidston and Poulton.-History:...
. The dock itself has been filled in and the bridge was replaced by a fixed roadway in 1996.
Bidston Moss
Bidston Moss was originally low-lying wetland marshMarsh
In geography, a marsh, or morass, is a type of wetland that is subject to frequent or continuous flood. Typically the water is shallow and features grasses, rushes, reeds, typhas, sedges, other herbaceous plants, and moss....
at the head of Wallasey Pool. In 1936 most of the land was given over to residential, commercial and industrial landfill
Landfill
A landfill site , is a site for the disposal of waste materials by burial and is the oldest form of waste treatment...
. Since the cessation of waste disposal operations in 1995, Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority and the charitable trust
Charitable trust
A charitable trust is an irrevocable trust established for charitable purposes, and is a more specific term than "charitable organization".-United States:...
Groundwork Wirral have undertaken environmental restoration works to landscape
Landscape architecture
Landscape architecture is the design of outdoor and public spaces to achieve environmental, socio-behavioral, or aesthetic outcomes. It involves the systematic investigation of existing social, ecological, and geological conditions and processes in the landscape, and the design of interventions...
the site.
External links
- Merseyside Views: 1850 map of Wallasey Pool, now Birkenhead Docks
- Merseyside Views: 1927 map of Wallasey Pool
^ www.wirralwaters.co.uk The New Docklands development Scheme