Morpeth Branch Dock, Birkenhead, Merseyside. Preliminary Desk-based Research

The study area is located at the eastern end of the former Morpeth Branch Dock in
Birkenhead on the Wirral (NGR SJ 32859 89426). A pumping station, built in the
1960s, is located towards the eastern end of Morpeth Branch Dock, east of which is an
open area of the former dock. The pumping station is proposed for decommissioning,
which would include infilling of this remaining part of Morpeth Branch Dock. As part
of a planning application, Axis commissioned Oxford Archaeology North to undertake
preliminary desk-based research of the proposed works area.
The Birkenhead docks were constructed on the Wallasey Pool, an area of deep water
running inland for two miles, and thus well-suited for harbouring ships. The first
docks to open were the Morpeth and Egerton Docks in 1847. In 1866-68 Morpeth
Dock was extended to include Morpeth Branch Dock, a relatively small dock accessed
by a channel from the main Morpeth Dock to its north and north-west.