{"id":1095373,"date":"2026-07-17T18:45:18","date_gmt":"2026-07-17T18:45:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1095373\/"},"modified":"2026-07-17T18:45:18","modified_gmt":"2026-07-17T18:45:18","slug":"new-ferry-locals-launch-regeneration-fight-birkenhead-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1095373\/","title":{"rendered":"New Ferry locals launch regeneration fight \u2013 Birkenhead News"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Residents and business owners in a Wirral town have vowed to continue campaigning for their preferred regeneration scheme after the council opted against the proposal that received overwhelming public backing in a consultation survey.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Infuriated by the councillors\u2019 decision to choose a cheaper option for surface works on Bebington Road in New Ferry, locals are crowdfunding to finance their own campaign, in hopes of overturning the council\u2019s decision and securing their preferred premium option. Cash to buy leaflets and banners has been rolling in from across the community as they seek to ensure the debate continues.<\/p>\n

Earlier this month, members of Wirral Council\u2019s Environment, Climate Emergency, and Transport Committee met to vote on planned regeneration works for Bebington Road in New Ferry. Councillors were presented with three options for how the pedestrianised shopping area could look.<\/p>\n

A public consultation showed that 83% of the public preferred an option which included costly materials, including bespoke paving tiles along the street \u2013 and which is estimated to be over budget.<\/p>\n

Despite the overwhelming public support, councillors voted to go ahead with a cheaper option involving coloured tarmac.<\/p>\n

A report to the committee explained that a budget of \u00a35.5m had been approved for the project. Each option was costed in January 2025, with the most expensive option being costed at \u00a35.7m whilst the cheapest was costed at \u00a34.5m. However, the report explains the true cost could be different as, \u201cit is acknowledged that the designs have since evolved\u201d.<\/p>\n

The more expensive \u2018option one\u2019, backed by locals, would be akin to the tiles seen on Birkenhead\u2019s Grange Road, whilst the cheaper \u2018option two\u2019 would be similar to the paving seen on West Kirby\u2019s promenade.<\/p>\n

In the days following the decision, which led to shouts of \u2018shame on you\u2019 echoing through Wallasey Town Hall, the leader of Wirral Council, Cllr Paula Basnett, appeared in a video posted online where she supported the committee\u2019s decision to back option two.<\/p>\n

In the video, the council leader said \u201cwe must learn from past mistakes.\u201d Cllr Basnett said the Grange Road tiles are \u201cnot wearing well,\u201d just six months after being installed. She added the Grange Road project: \u201cWent well over budget, was badly delayed, and caused months of disruption for businesses and shoppers alike. I don\u2019t want that for New Ferry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cllr Basnett added, \u201cWe can deliver high-quality public realm successfully, just look at West Kirby, where the new surface and planters, installed almost three years ago, still look great today.\u201d<\/p>\n

In addition to increased installation time, the council report explained that the more costly option could cause issues long-term. It is said, \u201cHigher specification materials and bespoke features are likely to result in increased future maintenance and replacement costs, which would present a pressure to already strained Council revenue budgets.\u201d<\/p>\n

Not sold by the justification, residents in New Ferry told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that they \u201cdo not accept\u201d the committee\u2019s decision and have pledged to continue their campaign.<\/p>\n

Sam Jelenski, the owner of Lumi Place Community Shop, has launched a GoFundMe page to raise funds for a campaign to overturn the decision. Sam told the LDRS,<\/strong> \u201cEvery campaign needs financial backing to print leaflets or banners.\u201d He explained the group plans to obtain a large vinyl banner to help with their campaigning. At the time of writing, \u00a3430 of an \u00a3800 target has been raised.<\/p>\n

Local resident, Tony Norbury, told the LDRS, <\/strong>\u201cBusinesses and the people of New Ferry deserve the very, very best. They don\u2019t deserve having options put in front of them and then taken away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Speaking about the more premium option, local business owner, Annalisa Allure, said, <\/strong>\u201cIf we couldn\u2019t have that, why put it on the table? I want New Ferry to get what we deserve.\u201d Annalisa suggested the greater disruption, which the costly option would cause, \u201cwould be worthwhile if we get what we want\u201d.<\/p>\n

Local ward councillor, Jo Green, sits on the committee which voted on the issue. Cllr Green was among the minority who backed the higher-spec option during the meeting. Cllr Bird told the LDRS that residents in New Ferry \u201care reeling\u201d from the decision made at the committee.<\/p>\n

In addition to the more premium paving, the public-backed option also included a butterfly trail and information boards about the town and its history. Cllr Bird said, \u201cWe want paving stones not tarmac, we want to bring back the butterflies, and we want to celebrate out culture and our history.\u201d<\/p>\n

Image: Cllr Jo Bird with residents and business owners in New Ferry. Credit: Andrew Spence<\/strong><\/p>\n

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