Some parking charges are taking place in the coming weeks
Fort Perch Rock car park in New Brighton.(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
Wirral Council won’t say when it plans to introduce controversial new parking charges at 22 car parks that are currently free as well as roads in three coastal areas.
In September 2024, the local authority announced a plan to see charges introduced at 22 car parks and on roads in three coastal areas where they’re currently free. Car parks where people already pay have now seen an increase with a £1 charge brought in overnight.
The plans quickly drew backlash from people in areas like New Brighton and Bromborough with thousands signing petitions. However on December 3 at an environment and transport committee, Labour and Green councillors voted to approve the new charges as well as other increases to fees while Conservatives and Liberal Democrats voted against after putting forward an unsuccessful alternative.
The council has repeatedly said the changes are in line with a policy that was unanimously approved by all parties in 2023. This parking strategy said the council could apply standardised parking charges across the borough as well as the ability to introduce traffic regulations where required.
Under the approved changes, all car parks owned by the council, roads within the Birkenhead Controlled Parking Zone, and the roads listed above, it will cost £1.20 for each hour of parking, with £6 for over four hours between 8am and 6.30pm. It will cost £1 to park overnight.
Charges are also expected to be brought in for the following roads in three areas. These are South Parade in West Kirby, North Parade and Meols Parade in Hoylake and Meols as well as Kings Parade, Coastal Drive, Bayview Drive, and Marine Promenade in New Brighton and Wallasey.
Parking permits for traders of £720 a year and Wirral Council Park permits of £120 per year are available.
Charges are expected to be brought in for parts of Wallasey and New Brighton(Image: Liverpool Echo)
According to a council report, the money raised from the off-street parking charges is expected to be around £150,000 to £300,000 from 2026, with any income not expected to be generated until the summer in 2025.
Councillors also unanimously approved a £1m bid for parking equipment as part of the budget in March though there were attempts by Conservatives to get it removed.
Nearly six months since the council made the decision, the ECHO asked for an update on when the new charges will be brought in. This included specifically on when charges will be brought in for those car parks that are currently free as well as when new car parking equipment will be installed.
A spokesperson for the local authority said: “The changes to parking charges, as agreed by the committee, will be implemented in a phased manner with the first phase – the increase in fees at car parks where charges are already in place – taking place in the coming weeks with signage going up in the car parks affected and legal notices being published. The other changes will be implemented in due course.”
The car parks where charges are expected to be brought in are as follows:
Fort Perch Rock in New BrightonDerby Pool in New BrightonChamberlain Street in BirkenheadOld Chester Road / Chamberlain Street in BirkenheadTurner Street in BirkenheadBanks Road in HeswallRoslin Road in IrbyFishers Lane in PensbyCarr Lane in HoylakeCharles Road in HoylakeMarket Street in HoylakeBarlow Avenue in BebingtonChurch Road in BebingtonRoland Avenue in BebingtonAllport Lane in BromboroughMill Park Drive in EasthamManor Road in LiscardGarden Lane in MoretonHolt Avenue in MoretonPasture Road in MoretonGunsite in LeasoweThurstaston Common in Thurstaston