People have until Christmas Eve to respond to a Wirral Council consultation over the introduction of new parking charges on the promenades in West Kirby and Hoylake.
In August, councillors ratified a controversial decision to bring in an additional £1 million a year from parking charges, including at car parks which had previously been free to use.
The areas affected are:
- North Parade/Meols Parade, Hoylake and Meols
- South Parade, West Kirby
- Carr Lane Car Park, Hoylake
- Charles Road Car Park, Hoylake
- Market Street Car Park, Hoylake
- Thurstaston Common Car Park, Thurstaston
On the consultation page, Wirral Council said: “Charging will allow the council to provide a fair and sustainable parking policy and continue to provide public car parks and access areas into the future in a fair and sustainable manner, given the financial strains on other areas.
“Charges are already in place in many other Council-provided car parks in other communities.
“Blue (disabled) badge holders would be exempt from the requirement to pay for parking as long as a valid badge is clearly displayed.”
All feedback provided will be taken back to the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee, meaning charges will not be introduced until 2022.
You can have your say here: https://haveyoursay.wirral.gov.uk/car-parking-charges-traffic-regulation
West Kirby Today revealed earlier this year that residents parking zones could be considered to mitigate the impact for people living near the promenades – subject to monitoring that takes place after charges are introduced.
The council is currently reviewing its entire residents parking scheme policy, so it is possible changes will be made to it in the near future.