Grand plans for new walking and cycling routes in Wirral have led some drivers to ask what the future looks like for them.

A new cycling route between Birkenhead and New Brighton, proposed by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA), has led to a backlash from some, amid claims it would create problems for car parking and driving in general.

Cllr Tom Anderson, who leads the Conservatives on Wirral Council, said transport plans must avoid "demonising" drivers.

But given the need to tackle what many call the 'Climate Emergency', many argue that the use of cars, particularly petrol and diesel cars, needs to fall.

Cllr Pat Cleary, who represents the Green Party in Birkenhead and Tranmere, said: "We've got to make it easier for people to leave their car at home, or to not own a car, or to have one car rather than two.

"Public transport is erratic and expensive and it's not in our control. Active travel [cycling and walking] infrastructure is nowhere near good enough."

Cllr Cleary thought the LCRCA should be doing much better on this.

He added: "From a city region point of view, Steve Rotheram [Metro Mayor for the city region] comes out with some nice words on active travel, but compared to Manchester where Chris Boardman has been heavily involved for years we're behind.

"And Manchester is behind the best performing parts of the country.

"If you look at funding in the [Liverpool] city region compared to Greater Manchester, [there's] a chasm. Manchester has got a tram network going, we're still arguing about a streetcar in Wirral Waters.

"We don't know what the mass transit plan will be, we don't know what the facilities will be to get people on the wider network."

If such issues are not addressed, Cllr Cleary said people will carry on using their cars in the same way with the harm to the environment this causes.

A spokesperson for the LCRCA said: "Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has pledged to build a London-style integrated transport system for the Liverpool City Region and the development and delivery of sustainable and active travel infrastructure is at the heart of these plans.

"Alongside investment of more than half a billion pounds in new publicly-owned trains which will serve all parts of the Merseyrail network – including the Wirral Line – the Combined Authority is committing over £30m of first tranche funding for a new 600km network of safe, segregated walking and cycling routes.

"Work has already begun on a new active travel corridor between Leasowe and Seacombe, with ongoing local public engagement taking place on further routes in Wirral.

The spokesperson added: "The combined authority is working closely with Wirral Council on their plans for the regeneration of Birkenhead including on a study looking at public transport links to the Wirral Waters development, with a range of options being explored – including active travel and mass transport.

"Both the Liverpool City Region and Wirral Council declared a climate emergency in 2019, and jointly pledged to become zero carbon by 2040.

"To achieve this goal we need to create an attractive alternative to using the car by accelerating planning and investment in sustainable public transport, and we commit to working with partners in Wirral and beyond to make this happen."

Within Wirral Council, Labour may have lost seats in recent years but it still has more councillors, and therefore more power, than any other party represented in the local authority.

Labour's Tony Jones, who chairs the council's Economy and Development Committee, elaborated on future transport plans for the borough.

He said: "Walking and cycling have a vital role to play in supporting our regeneration ambitions.

"Wirral Council's focus is on helping people and goods to move around efficiently, cleanly, safely and healthily by the most appropriate mode for the journey and the individual, whether that is walking, cycling, public transport or car.

"Increasing the use of electric vehicles is another key part of our strategy and the council will shortly be announcing plans to promote this further.

"Throughout this process the council will work closely with residents and businesses affected to shape the schemes and ensure the end result meets their needs.

"However, this is in the context of an environment and a climate emergency, as has been declared by Wirral Council."

Cllr Jones said a mass transit project for the borough was on the way.

He added: "As well as improvements to walking and cycling routes the framework includes proposals for a world-class mass transit system for improved 'last mile' connectivity, a new linear park – Dock Branch Park – designed for walkers and cyclists, and an approach where streets are treated as a vital part of public space and are designed for people.

"Within Birkenhead the biggest movement challenges we face are in fact the over-engineering of the road infrastructure, such as huge flyovers and dual carriageway roads right through our town centre, and the severance that this causes for people wishing to move about on foot and by cycle.

"This makes it difficult for people to get to around easily and access local opportunities such as employment, schools, and shops."

The Wirral Conservatives wanted to make sure drivers were not left behind as a result of future transport plans.

Cllr Tom Anderson, leader of the Tory group on Wirral Council, said: "Conservatives are leading the way against climate change, whether it be legislating to end the UK's contribution to global warming and achieve Net Zero by 2050 or delivering a £640m Nature for Climate fund to increase tree planting across the country.

"But we cannot, and should not, be demonising car owners with ill-thought out pet projects that the public don't want.

"Only this week, councillors from across the political spectrum halted plans for the pedestrianisation of The Crescent in West Kirby and instructed council officers to consult with residents and businesses first.

"The Conservative Government has committed to ending the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030.

"We should be embracing the full range of travel options for all our residents, whether that be electric vehicles, public transport, pedal power or walking, thereby retaining freedom of choice in a cleaner and greener Wirral."

Discussing planned walking and cycling schemes in Wirral, a spokesperson for the LCRCA said: "Independent research from cycling charity Sustrans and our own surveys show that a majority of residents, including motorists, support the building of new safe, segregated cycle lanes of this kind.

"But as individual schemes are developed, it is vital to make sure the views of residents are taken on board."

For the Liberal Democrats, Cllr Allan Brame, said: "It will not be easy to persuade people to drive less until we make alternative modes of transport more attractive.

"Passenger numbers on buses and trains have fallen dramatically because of Covid, but in the longer term we need reliable and regular bus services so that jumping in your car is not the first choice.

"People talk of the convenience of the car, but a good proportion of my inbox is taken up by

residents complaining – quite rightly – about roads and pavements clogged up by parked vehicles, especially during the school run.

"As a non-driving cyclist, I welcome the city region's plans to develop a network of safe cycle lanes."

The Oxton councillor added: "Routes across the Wirral are particularly problematic, with the M53 limiting cyclists' options.

"It is not easy retro-fitting cycle lanes into many of our roads. That is why it is essential that

inrastructure for walking and cycling is designed into all new developments and we must seize the opportunity offered by our new Local Plan to ensure that happens.

"The new road through Wirral Waters is well designed and is cutting speed significantly, making this a more attractive environment – but building it was hugely expensive and funds for similar schemes are limited."