Building of King's Parade, New Brighton - 22nd May 2011 1:37pm
In the 1920s, Wallasey’s promenades started at Seacombe Ferry and terminated at Marine Park. Between there and the start of the embankment near Harrison Drive was a stretch of unprotected coast badly affected by erosion and constantly drifting sand. New Brighton’s popularity as a seaside resort was continuing to grow, but there was no room to expand the facilities on offer. However, all this was about to change as Wallasey Council came up with a plan which would provide not only sea defence but also reclaim 100 acres of land which could be used, in part, for new major entertainment facilities – the building of King’s Parade.
These plans were incorporated into the Wallasey Corporation Act of 1927. Even by today’s standards it was a huge undertaking. A massive concrete sea wall was erected sweeping out to sea by Fort Perch Rock and then following the coast to join up with the embankment at Harrison Drive. A promenade 130 feet wide and 1 ¾ miles long was built incorporating a marine lake (10 acres), outdoor bathing pool (biggest in Europe), pitch and putt course, tennis courts, bowling greens and large car parks.
The work was carried out in two phases. The first phase, which went as far as the Red Noses, was started in 1931 and completed in 1934. The first three photos are from this first phase and show what a massive undertaking it was. The first of the photos is dated 19 January 1932 and annotated “General View. Sea Wall facing West, now completed”. Seeing as the work only started sometime in 1931, that was pretty quick! The other photo is from a survey taken by Priestly and Sons just before building work started and gives an idea of the encroachment of the sand.
The second phase of the building of the sea wall and prom was completed by March 1939. The onset of WW2 meant that the interior plans for public gardens and “other development” (see plan) never got off the ground.
I think Wallasey Corporation are to be commended for their foresight back in the 1920s. Don’t forget that at the same time as phase 1 was starting, the Council were building the Derby Pool at Harrison Drive. This was all happening during the Great Depression, so these projects must have provided much needed jobs. It is interesting to speculate ‘what might have been’ but for WW2.
These plans were incorporated into the Wallasey Corporation Act of 1927. Even by today’s standards it was a huge undertaking. A massive concrete sea wall was erected sweeping out to sea by Fort Perch Rock and then following the coast to join up with the embankment at Harrison Drive. A promenade 130 feet wide and 1 ¾ miles long was built incorporating a marine lake (10 acres), outdoor bathing pool (biggest in Europe), pitch and putt course, tennis courts, bowling greens and large car parks.
The work was carried out in two phases. The first phase, which went as far as the Red Noses, was started in 1931 and completed in 1934. The first three photos are from this first phase and show what a massive undertaking it was. The first of the photos is dated 19 January 1932 and annotated “General View. Sea Wall facing West, now completed”. Seeing as the work only started sometime in 1931, that was pretty quick! The other photo is from a survey taken by Priestly and Sons just before building work started and gives an idea of the encroachment of the sand.
The second phase of the building of the sea wall and prom was completed by March 1939. The onset of WW2 meant that the interior plans for public gardens and “other development” (see plan) never got off the ground.
I think Wallasey Corporation are to be commended for their foresight back in the 1920s. Don’t forget that at the same time as phase 1 was starting, the Council were building the Derby Pool at Harrison Drive. This was all happening during the Great Depression, so these projects must have provided much needed jobs. It is interesting to speculate ‘what might have been’ but for WW2.