PLANS to increase parking charges and extend charges to more than 20 sites on Wirral have inspired a poem of protest.

Proposals for new parking charges were dropped by the local authority in 2022 due to intense opposition and legal challenges.

But on September 25, Wirral Council announced a plan to bring in a traffic regulation order that would see charges introduced at 22 car parks and on three roads where they're currently free.

Car parks where people already pay are also set to see an increase.

Rates will range from £1.20 for one hour to £6 for four hours or more. A £1 overnight charge will also be brought in for anyone wanting to park between 6.30pm and 8am.

Among the sites are the ‘key’ tourist and visitor attractions at Kings Parade, Wallasey; North Parade and Meols Parade, and South Parade, West Kirby. Charges at these sites would be introduced and also include overnight parking charges.

The situation inspired Globe reader Barry Huston - who calls himself The Quirky Poet - to pen the following poem The King’s Parade – A Tarnished Jewel:

'In serried rows, the road signs gleam, With warnings that clutter every view. Camper vans must pay twenty pounds, Or fines will follow, swift and due.

A hire firm spotted an opening clear, And filled the road with vans galore. The council’s hand was slow to move, But hastened later, their actions poor.

An urgent order marked the roads, Where yellow lines were poorly laid. Though hasty work left much to mend, The signs appeared and were obeyed.

Steel posts arose along the front, To bar all parking through the night. “No overnights,” the signs proclaimed, With rules imposed by council might.

Soon pay machines will line the kerb, As parking fees are set to raise. They plan to banish cars from view, With limits and fines in many ways.

The road at night is veiled in dark, For lamps have never lit this shore. And how will parking meters stand, When mischief comes to test them more?

The council seeks to clear the roads, With limits set at twenty’s pace. But locals and the tourists both Now find the place has lost its grace.

Unintended consequences appear, From policies poorly thought through. With dwindling footfall, shops are in fear, As businesses struggle and face going bust too.

Those councillors who voted thus Will face the cost of what they agreed; For in this tale of woe and change, The council's choices prove misjudged indeed."