A campaign is getting under way to oppose a plan to introduce parking charges on West Kirby promenade, due to fears it could damage local businesses and cause issues on nearby side streets.
The proposal would mean drivers having to pay £1.20 an hour to park on the fronts in West Kirby and Hoylake, up to a maximum of £6. There would also be a fee of £1 to park overnight, from 6.30pm to 8am.
Notices have been placed on lamp posts along the affected routes about a proposed Traffic Regulation Order which has to be introduced to legalise charging.
Meanwhile, charges are also set to be introduced at car parks on Carr Lane, Charles Road and Market Street in Hoylake, and at Thurstaston Common. They were previously free.
Wirral Council says it “will help address the challenges and future parking impacts by managing traffic, congestion, and ensuring regular turnover of spaces in line with the approved Wirral Parking Strategy”.
But One West Kirby, a community group made up of local residents, says it is “deeply concerned”.
Spokesperson Iona Horsburgh told West Kirby Today: “Wirral Borough Council is meant to be supporting local high streets as well as encouraging people to walk on our coastline. Introducing parking charges on our promenade will have a significant negative impact on our businesses as well as increasing traffic problems on our narrow residential side roads.
“The WBC Parking Strategy clearly demonstrates that these sorts of charges are implemented to reduce journeys, so will ultimately result in reducing footfall, reducing visitors to our beach and Hilbre Island, and damage our local economy.
“We already have two council pay and display car parks in the town and there is no clear rationale for introducing charges on this road.
“We feel the current situation is already precarious for our businesses, and local residents, without further barriers being introduced.”
One West Kirby is organising a petition for local businesses, and plans to write to people living on roads around South Parade.
A notice about the proposed introduction of car parking charges on South Parade
Announcing a consultation on the charges, Wirral Council said: “The changes also support the strategy in aligning and supporting other policies and initiatives, such as the Cool Wirral campaign to encourage local climate-related action.
“Charging would allow the council to meet the costs of continuing to provide dedicated public car parking into the future in a fair and equitable manner, ensuring that any new parking plans are self-financing.”
The consultation runs until Wednesday 23 October and can be found at https://haveyoursay.wirral.gov.uk/car-parking-charges-traffic-regulation-orders-consultation-2024.
The findings of the consultation will be reported back to the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee later this year for a decision.
Councillors will also be asked to decide on the proposal to increase fees in areas where charges were already present.
