Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past Wirral Now and Then Building of King's Parade, New Brighton

A couple of random stories I was told about the building of the prom. Don’t know how true they are.

The original boundary of the phase one work was to have been near the bottom of Portland Street. However, under pressure from the rich residents of the part of Wellington Road which would not have been protected, it was extended. The picture from the Priestley survey shows how badly affected by drift sand these houses were. The eventual boundary does in fact mark the end of the then inhabited part of the coast. Or could it just be that there was a handy big red rock sticking out to sea?

To take up CVCVCV’s point about the Council having serious money at its disposal, I think most of the work was government funded, partly grants and partly loans, which were allowed on the basis of sea defence. As the country was stuck in the middle of the Great Depression, there could also have been an element of backing a project that would provide work for a lot of people. However, the story I was told was that that one of the covenants or clauses in the agreements specifically stated that there was to be no charges made for car parking, in perpetuity. This seems a bit odd, but isn’t it strange that Wirral Council have made no attempt to cash in when they seem to charge for parking everywhere else across the Borough?

I was told that a lot of rubbish was buried there. Might be a lot of valuable junk buried underneath.

Interesting that the plans showed the boating lake much further along the prom.

I spose my main thought was that Wallasey did a whole lot better before it was lumped in with the rest of the Wirral.
If it had been Wirral council back then, do you think all this would have been built? I am just guessing - but I reckon that it wouldn't have...

I've just come across this thread and the great photos. Have been trying to work out where the Priestly photo was taken. Is it looking up Portland Street?

Yes it is & that turret feature is still there & I have heard they may have sold ice cream from it at one time!

Thanks for that, Tatey. I took a walk last night to have a look. When you look down Portland Street it's amazing how much land was reclaimed when the prom was built. It's only when you look at such great old pictures that you realise how much has changed. Thanks for posting them Nightwalker.

todays picture of the tower

Excellent comparison Wheels.

There appear to be a few less chimneys on the houses these days!

Survey of phase 1 coastal area, 1931 by Priestley and Sons [img:center]http://photobucket.com/nightwalker67[/img]

There must be a better way of showing them than this. Can anyone help?

i used to skateboard down that road, was super fun especially as it was a one way street heading upwards.

Some cracking unseen before photo's there. Took me a while to realise it was snow and not completely sand. Rare photo of the first house i.e. Atherton's place. Think it was called The Cliff?

Do you know, Helles, I've never thought about there being snow - will have to dig out the originals and examine them. Being taken by a professional photographer the quality is excellent, but they're too big to scan so what I've posted are photos of photos. They're not even in the right order - can't get to grips with this modern technology!

What great pictures, love looking at these old ones.

Fantastic photos