• New landing stage and linkspan bridge now in place Woodside Ferry Terminal
• Major £9m investment to replace previous 39-year-old structure
• Full opening of facilities to link-in with wider multi-million regeneration project to turn the area into a ‘vibrant and unique waterfront destination’

The new Mersey Ferries landing stage and linkspan bridge at Woodside are now successfully in place on the Wirral waterfront as part of a £9m transformation project.

The installation was an eye-catching sight for onlookers by the River Mersey earlier today as the impressive Lara 1 floating crane was used to install the new 120-tonne bridge. Meanwhile the 52-metre long, 350-tonne landing stage was floated across the river and connected to the new supporting piles.

An expert team on both sides of the river co-ordinated the complex two-day process, ensuring it ran safely and smoothy across the busy shipping lanes. The challenging procedure was capture in stunning drone and time-lapse footage, covering the journey from start to finish.

Now the landing stage and pontoon are in place, the final fit out will be completed which includes a modern waiting room to boost the passenger experience.

The new landing stage is the next phase of major investment in Mersey Ferries, seeing the 39-year-old landing stage, linkspan bridge and supporting boom structures carefully dismantled and responsibly recycled and replacing it with new infrastructure – ensuring Mersey Ferries continue to serve the region for years to come.

It’s all part of the wider 20-year Mersey Ferries strategy, which includes the multi-million-pound refurbishment of Seacombe Ferry Terminal, which reopened in 2022, and a new ferry for 2026, which is currently being constructed at Cammell Laird in Wirral and last month took to the river for the first time as part of its basin testing.

Cllr Steve Foulkes, Chair of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Transport Committee, said:

“For generations, the Mersey Ferries have been carrying people across the river to work, gigs, the football and a day out shopping, and we’re determined to make sure this continues for many years to come.

“Alongside the new Mersey Ferry, these works at Woodside highlight our commitment to the future of ferries as a much-beloved cultural asset for our city region.

“We’re really pleased to be playing our part alongside Wirral Council in the transformative regeneration in this are that will be taking place over the next few years.”

Working together with Wirral Council and Big Heritage CIC, it is planned that the return of Mersey Ferry services to Woodside will tie in with the completion of the public realm works at Woodside and the new Battle of the Atlantic Museum.

Cllr Paula Basnett, Leader of Wirral Council, said:

“Woodside is an iconic location and it is fantastic to see work on the new landing stage and bridge is now completed in a remarkable piece of engineering.

“This will allow the Mersey Ferries to continue to serve people for generations to come, especially when the new Royal Daffodil is in operation next year, allowing locals and visitors alike to continue enjoying one of the most famous ferry rides in the world.”

The regeneration scheme is being made possible by Local Regeneration funding from Wirral Council and active travel funding from Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, which will breathe new life into the area connecting the Woodside Waterfront with Birkenhead town centre.