Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past Wirral Now and Then What Happened To The Jiggers?

Scrolling around Google Maps for spots I recall in Birkenhead I'm surprised and puzzled to see steel gates blocking almost every entrance to the many jiggers at the back of so many of the old houses. Why have they been closed-off?

Crime, people dumping rubbish and criminals using them as escape routes. Also has the advantage that the council has to spend less money maintaining them.

Sign of the times, they used to be clear when I was young even though Birkenhead hadn't officially adopted them, Wallasey had.

The gates are a pain with vans, you never know in advance whether you will fit through the gates or not, assuming you can find someone that has bought a key. Even with vans that fit its usually uneven at the start, you line up perfectly but it can be a bit off once the rear wheels have gone over the uneven section and you have no space either side to correct plus you have your mirrors in. These are the same jiggers (entries) that the bin lorry used to reverse down at one time.

diggingdeeper - Much appreciated