Birkenhead Dock Branch

Birkenhead Dock Branch is a presently disused railway line running from the South junction of Rock Ferry, to the site of the former Bidston Dock.

The branch is approximately 4.5 mi (7 km) in length and is accessible by rail from Bidston East junction. The former Mollington Street Depot was joined to the branch line. Part of the branch runs through Haymarket Tunnel and a low-level cutting. The cutting is situated in the centre of Birkenhead, visible from the road flyovers which are in the town centre. The disused Canning Street North signal box and level crossing are also situated on the branch. Level crossings are also situated across Duke Street and Wallasey Bridge Road.

The last known locomotives to have served on this stretch of track were Birkenhead North's allocation of Class 03 shunters, all of which have been preserved. At the northern end of the branch, disused goods yards are situated parallel to Birkenhead North TMD, Wallasey Bridge Road sidings, adjacent to the Kingsway Tunnel approach road, Bidston Dock sidings. These two sets of sidings are also accessible by rail, through a series of points between Birkenhead North TMD and Bidston station.

The northern part of the track to the west of Canning Street North signal box and to the east of Wallasey Bridge Road level crossing, was owned by Mersey Docks and Harbour Company. It is presently understood to be in the ownership of Peel Holdings. The main part of this section runs parallel, on the northern side, to Corporation Road, across Duke Street, parallel Beaufort Road. The sections of the branch between and inclusive of Rock Ferry railway station, Canning Street North signal box, and the section west of Wallasey Bridge Road level crossing are understood to have been in the ownership of Railtrack and, subsequently, Network Rail.

Future

A future option for this line, as the trackwork is still mainly in place, may be to use it as a Heritage railway line which would be beneficial to the local economy. The former Railtrack has, in the past, indicated an interest in seeing the line reopened for goods services. However, Network Rail as of 2006 has not followed through with any action in this regard.

This track may be available in the future through a long-term lease to a heritage group in exchange for maintenance and running rights.

External links

• Overhead view of Bidston Dock, the quayside and sidings. The sidings and quayside are still present, the dock has since been filled in.
• Overhead view of Wallasey Bridge Road level crossing and sidings. Birkenhead North TMD is to the bottom of this photo.
• Photograph of Canning Street North signal box in its present state.
• Photograph of diesel shunter no. 03 162 'D2162 Birkenhead South 1879-1985' at Duke Street level crossing in Birkenhead in the early 1990s before the line fell into disuse.
• Photograph of the 'Birkenhead Bandit' railtour on the level crossing at Duke Street.
• Photograph from a locomotive cab on the branchline. Though the photo is stated as being 'along Duke Street', this in fact appears to be the Beaufort Road stretch of track. The houses to the right of the picture have since been demolished; this housing area is now vacant.
• the Rail Regulator

Further reading

• S. K. Baker. Rail Atlas of Great Britain & Ireland. ISBN 0-86093-553-1.