A legal challenge may have seen off the introduction of hugely controversial parking charges across parts of Wirral after the council leader's group pulled their support.

A vote on the introduction of charges in areas of New Brighton, West Kirby, Leasowe, Bromborough and many other parts of the borough had been expected to take place last month but was deferred for a second time by members of Wirral Council. Having initially backed the proposals, the Labour group will now abandon its view that fees should go ahead.

The group had offered its support, alongside the Greens, but has now said it was "unwise" to risk costly legal challenges. At June's meeting of the environment, climate emergency and transport committee, chair Cllr Elizabeth Grey said correspondence had been received from a local business in relation to the legality of the proposals and owing to the lateness of the letter, members had not received the required legal advice ahead of the proposed decision making gathering. 

As part of the plans, which could raise £1m a year, a £1 per hour standard rate, with a £5 per day maximum charge, was agreed to for all areas in Wirral which already charge earlier this year.  During a meeting of the full council at Wallasey Town Hall on Monday, Cllr Tony Cox asked when the charges may end up going ahead. 

Vicki Shaw, Wirral Council head of legal services, said: "The council did receive a legal challenge in relation to this matter and we're in the process of preparing detailed legal advice for members in relation to that." Ms Shaw said that would be provided "as soon as we can" but Cllr Janette Williamson told the LDRS her group would no longer support the idea of introducing charges. 

She said:  "The Labour group is committed to making sure that the right decisions are taken, based on the right advice and I am determined that those decisions have to be the right ones for the whole of Wirral." Both Labour and the Greens had said 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. Cllr Paul Stuart, Labour group deputy leader, added: "We are in the middle of a cost of living crisis, with government cutting council budgets around the country.

"It seems unwise to be risking costly legal challenges. We have asked officers to find the £500k shortfall elsewhere and are not willing at this time to support introducing charges which could cost more than they bring in."

A vote on the plans was already delayed once 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 have been after June's committee that it would be in a position to advise of changes and when the charges would come into force. The environment committee will meet again on July 21 and could now strike down the plans altogether.