THE results of Wirral Council’s consultation on parking charges have been published.  

Wirral Council officers put forward proposals for new charges at 22 car parks and roads in three coastal areas where they’re currently free.

The plans also include increases to fees already paid and an £1 overnight charge.

However, the plans drew quick backlash from people in areas like New Brighton and Bromborough as well as criticisms from Conservative and Liberal Democrat councillors.

At an environment and transport committee on December 3, councillors are recommended to approve new charges on 22 car parks and on-street bays in three areas that are currently free as well as increase fees by 20p where it already charges.

The council said this would be in line with a policy that was unanimously approved in 2023.

This parking strategy said the council could apply the same parking charges across the borough as well as the ability to introduce traffic regulations where required.

Money raised from these new parking charges are expected to be around £150,000 to £300,000 from 2026 with any income not expected to be generated until summer next year in 2025.

However a £1m bid will be needed to cover the costs of pay and display equipment, new signs, maintenance and lines on roads which will be covered by borrowing.

A public feedback exercise carried out by the council before making the changes was filled out by 3,070 people with 85% or more opposing on-road charges in Hoylake and Meols, West Kirby, Wallasey, and New Brighton.

93.9% said they opposed bringing in charges for car parks where it’s currently free.

In response to the proposal to introduce charges at off-street car parks, such as Garden Lane and Holt Avenue in Moreton, 93% of the 2,937 people who replied said they opposed the plans.

Councillor Vida Wilson, Moreton West & Saughall Massie, said: “Whenever Wirral Council introduces parking charges, the first to suffer are the residents.

“The next to suffer are the shops and businesses in the area.

“We’ve seen that in Birkenhead and we’ve seen that in Liscard. The result is desolate car parks, boarded up shops and empty high streets.

“The town hall asked people for their views and the people have given a very clear and resounding rejection to the plans.

“Moreton has managed to buck the trend in Wirral and continues to attracts visitors from across the borough.

“These charges are a kick in the teeth to those shops and businesses which have battled against online and out of town shopping.”

Meanwhile, the plan for charges at the Borough’s most popular tourist and visitor attractions, including Kings Parade and Coastal Drive in Wallasey, was rejected by 86% of 2,744 respondents.

Councillor Lesley Rennie, Wallasey, added: “Kings Parade is one of the most popular venues for residents and visitors alike.

“Blighting this local green space, and other coastal areas, with parking meters is not the answer to the council’s failure to tackle the £400,000 being lost on its parking enforcement contract.

“While I am glad the council has, for now at least, pulled their plan for massive increases in the cost of resident parking permits, the rest of the proposals before next week’s committee are unacceptable to a massive majority of residents.

 “Any councillor voting for this, at a time when the cost of living is still going up, and with growing economic uncertainty, needs a reality check.

“The town hall’s consultation is clear: people, shops and businesses do not support labour’s plans.”

However Labour said it was “misleading in the extreme to suggest this shows that 93% of people think anything” given large numbers of people did not fill out the consultation. Cllr Liz Grey said as the council had asked for objections, “it is no surprise that we should see them among those who did respond.”

She added: “We are taking great care to reflect on all responses and note the concerns. However, we also have a duty to ensure that car parks are properly maintained to a standard expected by residents and that requires them to have the funds to do so. Car parking charges can also be used to manage traffic and environmental concerns, and we will look at arguments in these matters too.

“All valid concerns must be taken seriously and any decisions need to be mindful of the legal parameters. Just like our residents, Councils across the country are still struggling after 14 years of Tory Government austerity and we need to ensure we are as fair to all our residents as possible when we look at setting any charges. That will be our main concern.”