Wirral Transport Museum and the operation of the Heritage Tramway was closed in April 2023 following an inspection by the Office of Road and Rail based upon numerous issues with track condition combined with unacceptable operational procedures around risk assessments, health and safety record keeping and no COSHH procedures in place. 

Big Heritage took over the museum in December 2023, and the museum and tramway remain closed whilst these issues are addressed and new major investment in the museum and tramway is made. 

What does the future hold for the operation of trams in Birkenhead? 

Big Heritage remain committed to our promise to invest in the tramway infrastructure alongside Wirral Council to ensure they can continue to operate and indeed have a much-improved infrastructure as part of ongoing investment in the Woodside area.  

Big Heritage have the custodianship of three trams on behalf of Wirral Council, and in October we confirmed a new loan agreement with National Museums Liverpool for Tramcar 245 to ensure its future remains in Birkenhead. 

What is happening with the Merseyside Tramway Preservation Society Trams? 

As space is at a premium and the new museum focussing only on local transport, we requested that MTPS re-homed their Lisbon built-and-operated Tramcar 730, which was subsequently moved to Beamish Museum. 

MTPS wrote to us in September to inform us that they wish to relocate all of their trams to Crich National Tram Museum. This decision is a disappointing one and came as a surprise to us. They are an important part of the history of Merseyside, and we believe that they should remain local. We have written to MTPS to share our opinion but accept that this decision lies with their committee. 

For the avoidance of doubt, we have not asked for the trams to be relocated, and the invitation for the trams to stay or eventually return to Birkenhead will continue to remain open should this decision be reversed. 

What is the status of volunteers at Wirral Transport Museum? 

After taking over the museum in December 2023, we welcomed back volunteers in January 2024. We now have a new comprehensive health and safety protocol in place, requiring all volunteers (regardless of previous experience) to undertake a short series of training programmes, sign up to a new volunteer conduct agreement and be required to wear appropriate PPE clothing when on site – all fully paid for by Big Heritage. 

As the tram tracks are due for a complete refurbishment in 2025, we have not been able to offer tram driver and guard volunteers access to these roles, but the invitation continues to remain open for them to volunteer in other roles within the museum on the proviso that they abide by the new policies noted above. 

We have now also created partnerships with Wirral Met College and the apprenticeship programme at Cammell Laird to provide placements and learning opportunities to a new generation of young engineers who will be able to hone their skills in the museum, learn from our experienced volunteers and eventually act as a talent pool for us to provide future employment.  

What is the situation on the historic bus collection? 

There had been almost no investment made into the conservation of the bus collection by the previous museum management for many years. As Big Heritage now have custodianship of theses vehicles, we have been able to commit over £30,000 already to provide much-needed repairs, replacement tyres and MOT testing across the bus collection. This has included the funding needed to complete the restoration of Wallasey Corporation Leyland Bus which required a complete engine overhaul and respray.    

A number of the buses are operated by volunteers regularly and we anticipate a much-expanded vintage bus service around Wirral in 2025.