the building of a station at the bottom of woodchurch road was part of the grand plan when the site was chosen for arrow park hospital along also with the electricifaction of the railway line and the link up of that same line into the mersey railway loop at bidston
Ships that pass in the night, seldom seen and soon forgoten
'Tis true that it was known as the Commodore bridge,Way back in the '70's somebody from the Woodchurch was arrested for painting "Commodores"on the bridge.As they were playing in Liverpool,I was always led to believe that Lionel Richie and the rest of the band had heard of the arrest and paid the lads fine.
Chris.
It was always known as the Rockers Bridge when I was younger as someone painted the word "rockers" on it in the late 60s or early 70s. Later in the 70s, it had Dalek I Love You painted on it allegedly by Dave Balfe himself: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalek_I_Love_You
The pitch is the other side of the fender? I'd imagine without some of the pitch space, there wouldn't be much of a car park though.
New stations have been built recently, Eastham, Bromborough Rake, Liverpool South Parkway to name a few. Lines have been electrified to Hooton ('85) then Chester ('93) and Eport ('94). I would hope that it would give the Bidston/Prenton some hope.
I'm not an expert of railway privatisation, but it makes you wonder if things may have progressed further under BR than network rail.
I could have sworn that I had already posted this ages ago but reading the thread it would appear that I hadn't. Myself and Jake were going to Asda one day about 2 years ago when we saw a car transporter hit this bridge coming the other way. Wiped out the entire contents of it's top floor. 4 brand new Fords (I think) upside down on Woodchurch Road. It was so cool!
Got a reprint of the Hundred of Wirral somewhere by Wirral libraries,it has a map in side the front cover showing the proposed routes/built route for the railway lines one part showed a line coming off the mid Wirral line and go to Prenton,can't remember where the book is as it's packed away but will look for it when time permits.
There have been suggestion of alternatives to 3rd rail electrification on the Bidston/Wrexham line. Some of these could include part electrification to Prenton or overhead (25KV) along all or part of the route.
25KV is more efficient and there is less current loss and in most cases safer. No other organisation would be allowed to run 750vdc along the ground unsheilded. Merseyrail would need to stay with 3rd rail due to the number of bridges and most importantly the dimensions of the tunnel/loop.
Duel fuel trains could also be an option and these are being considered to replace the existing 507/508 classes due around 2012. Motive power could come from diesel/electric, electric 750vdc, 25KV or a hybrid of all three.
I know that objections have been raised in Wales for Welsh passengers having to change at Prenton for services to Liverpool
Got a reprint of the Hundred of Wirral somewhere by Wirral libraries,it has a map in side the front cover showing the proposed routes/built route for the railway lines one part showed a line coming off the mid Wirral line and go to Prenton,can't remember where the book is as it's packed away but will look for it when time permits.
Here's a copy of an 1888 map. This was before the Bidston/Wrexham line was built, but the map shows the proposed (& authorised) line of what was to be the Connah's Quay railway. It clearly shows the proposed junction at Prenton Bridge; also, the proposed line from there to Central station.
Interestingly, it also shows a proposed new road through Bidston Hill, which would later be called Vyner Rd. North, and a building estate South of there. Also, the loop of Ford Hill is shown.
Last edited by chriskay; 21st Apr 201011:53am. Reason: added Bidston info.
I know that objections have been raised in Wales for Welsh passengers having to change at Prenton for services to Liverpool
As opposed to now when they have to change at Bidston?
yup. Because there is the West Kirby train to catch and if they terminated at Birkenhead North like they used to; there is also the new brighton train to catch.
The Jamboree at Arrowe Park was from 31st July to 13th August 1929.
I, personally, doubt the story as none of the published histories of Birkenhead Corporation Transport mention it, while they do mention other accidents - but that is just my opinion.
Just to put the cat amongst the pigeons, the following item appeared in the Birkenhead News on 31st July 1929.
No decapitation, or even a death (I can't find any trace of an inquest over the succeeding weeks), and the item doesn't specifically mention Woodchurch Road...But how many bridges do you pass under on the way to Arrowe Park?
It just goes to show it doesn't pay to be too sceptical, even about apparent old wives' tales!
The bridge that the French scout clipped his swede on may not have been the present structure. The current (girderplate on brick abutments) bridge was installed when they widened Woodchurch Road. I stand to be corrected, but I think that was the early 30's.
The original bridge would have been a stone arch type and probably much lower and narrower. An open top bus. Low bridge. Le thwack !! Maybe ??
