City leaders have backed a proposal to adopt a new parking strategy with the key aim of reducing the ability for people to drive into and park in the city centre

Claire Elliott and Liverpool Echo readers

12:27, 22 Oct 2025Updated 12:28, 22 Oct 2025

Opposition leaders have criticised a “trendy” parking scheme in Liverpool city centre, warning it could push shoppers to other retail areas, and have launched efforts to challenge the decision. Livepool Echo readers are in agreement, worried Liverpool could become a “ghost town”.

Earlier this month, Liverpool Council’s cabinet approved major changes to how drivers can access the city centre. The plan aims to reduce the number of cars entering and parking in the heart of the city.

The strategy includes scrapping some existing parking sites, considering a levy on employers with parking spaces, and creating a new multi-storey car park on the edge of the city centre. No new city centre parking spaces are planned, aligning with ambitions to encourage walking, cycling, and public transport.

Opposition councillors have formally called in the cabinet motion for reconsideration. Cllr Steve Radford, leader of the Liberal Party group, warned that reduced parking could drive shoppers to Cheshire Oaks or the Trafford Centre and highlighted concerns for disabled drivers.

The scheme also includes reviewing residents’ parking permits, business permits, and introducing a new resident-controlled parking zone around the city centre to encourage commuters to use peripheral car parks and alternative transport.

Cllr Dan Barrington, cabinet member for transport and connectivity, defended the strategy, saying it is designed to make Liverpool cleaner, safer, and more accessible. He said: “It is about encouraging greener transport options while providing better quality, more integrated parking in the right locations.” Cllr Barrington added that the plan addresses anti-social parking in suburbs, with dozens more enforcement officers being recruited. He emphasised that public and stakeholder feedback helped shape the strategy, aiming to balance the needs of residents, businesses, and visitors while making Liverpool greener and more liveable.

Commenter Liverpool19 complains: ”What a joke this council is, empty bike lanes on the Strand, traffic lanes cut from three to two supposedly to improve flow, and parking charges increased. Does any councillor actually ride a bike and practice what they preach?”

Sassyblonde agrees: “Our lovely city centre will end up like a ghost town the way things are going.”

JohnBracken says: “I live in Tarbock, so I can either drive into Liverpool, with all the traffic lights and pay an extortionate amount of money to park in Liverpool One, or I can just go the Trafford Centre, motorway all the way and free parking. If I was going purely for shopping, the Trafford Centre would be a no-brainer but I usually do a lot more than shop when in Liverpool, so many things to see and do.”

Tintray thinks: “People coming into town to spend money don’t want to spend ages on a packed bus surrounded by people shouting into their phones only to have to repeat the process but carrying shopping home. Far easier to jump in the car and go to the Trafford Centre or Cheshire Oaks particularly with kids or older relatives.”

Marlo2014 adds: “It’s already not cost effective to shop in Liverpool, the Trafford Centre and Cheshire Oaks are a lot cheaper to go to even with the extra fuel. The council needs to wake up and come up with a huge free car park.”

Teabag67 writes: “I haven’t shopped in town for years. Far easier to go to St Helens, Warrington, Widnes, Trafford Centre where the parking is far cheaper or free. The council seem determined to ruin businesses, what with the charges for on street parking after 6pm too.”

Rosey Gorry states: “Taxing employer parking will only deter businesses opening. Adding in extra travel costs after parking will just push people to go elsewhere. Just wondering how much worse disabled parking will be?”

Beth Parker says: “We just get the bus into town and we are glad to use our bus passes. I gave up our car when my eye-sight deteriorated. We get taxis when necessary.”

Eric Smith replies: “My evening and all weekend bus service to Liverpool centre is just once an hour. There are also two Merseyrail stations, along very dark sections of dual carriageways, without houses and without bus services, one and a half miles away. Some areas have even worse off peak public transport. We can’t all get the bus!”

Chris Evans thinks: “What a joke! The town is already a near no go for traffic. The traffic management and planning strategy is commercial suicide. This decision will push shoppers and investors away to out of town retail parks or the likes of Chester/Manchester.”

What do you think of the new parking plan? Will it benefit the city or just drive more people away? Have your say in our comments section.