Approval of charging for parking at Banks Road, Heswall, and Thurstaston Common among several which could be given soon

New parking charges across Wirral could be rubber stamped next week.

Last year, Wirral Council agreed to bring in charges for car parks and on-street parking in areas where it is currently free – including parts of New Brighton, West Kirby, Leasowe, Bromborough and many other parts of the borough. As well as this, a £1 per hour standard rate, with a £5 per day maximum charge, was agreed to for all areas in Wirral which already charge.

It is thought the move to introduce charges could raise around £1m annually. A vote on the plans to confirm the locations was deferred in February and is expected to be taken when the local authority's environment, climate emergency and transport committee meets next Monday.

Labour and Green Party councillors had been in favour of the fees, arguing new charges were needed to ensure the authority was not subsidising car parking at a time when it faced huge pressures on its budget. Conservative and Liberal Democrat councillors indicated they would not support the plans, arguing they would damage local businesses emerging from the pandemic.

The vote has been delayed after around 4,000 objections and comments were received in the consultation that ran in December last year. In February, Wirral Council said it would be after next week's committee that it would be in a position to advise of changes and when the charges would come into force.

Respondents to the council's consultation indicated that they were not in favour of additional fees to park their cars with themes such as the impact on businesses, health and well-being, displaced parking and the cost of living crisis being identified. Among the matters in support of the charges were how they could support the climate crisis and reduced congestion.

Members of the committee are expected to sign off on charges being implemented at the following locations: Kings Parade / Coastal Drive, New Brighton; South Parade, West Kirby; Bayview Drive / Harrison Drive; Derby Pool Car Park, New Brighton; The Gunsite Car Park, Leasowe. Other Off-Street Car Parks include Old Chester Road (Chamberlain Street), Birkenhead; Chamberlain Street, Birkenhead; Banks Road, Heswall; Carr Lane, Hoylake; Barlow Avenue, Bebington; Church Road, Bebington; Fort Perch Rock, New Brighton, and Thurstaston Common, Thurstaston.

The committee will meet at Wallasey Town Hall on Monday June 20 from 6pm.

Wallasey Town Hall