Concerns have been raised about the introduction of a £100 fine for using the slip road at the front of West Kirby railway station.
Signage has recently been erected by the landowners warning of the use of ANPR cameras and a penalty charge notice for vehicles parking on the private land.
One West Kirby – a community group representing residents and businesses – say the lease, which dates back to the 1980’s, expressly states that the area in front of the station is for ‘setting down’. They argue that this means that vehicles dropping people off at the station should be able to use it without fear of getting a bill.
The owners of the slip road say they “have tried to be as accommodating as possible to the needs of the users of the area”, but that “considerable inconvenience has been caused to both the traders, suppliers and the customers (and other users of the station) when people park vehicles thoughtlessly in unauthorised areas”.
They insist that the “correct and appropriate wording” is being used on the signage, which directs people to the International Parking Community website for terms and conditions.
The lease document with a map of the site showing the ‘slip road’ and ‘setting down’ area
Iona Horsburgh from One West Kirby told us: “We know that local residents in West Kirby are deeply concerned about the recent installation of signage imposing a £100 fine on those entering the slip road to park momentarily and drop off passengers at the train station.
“This area was specifically designed at the commencement of the lease in the 1980’s as a drop-off zone, and these new restrictions really do impact local residents in particular older passengers and those with limited mobility who rely on convenient access.
“Whilst we appreciate that this area of West Kirby is leased to a private London company and is therefore technically private land, we believe that the lease that they have does explicitly identify the slip road and the area for “setting down” purposes, making the intended use of the space clear.
“The introduction of fines creates unnecessary inconvenience for our local residents. A balanced solution must be found – one that preserves the essential drop-off function while supporting the landlord in preventing prolonged parking and vehicle obstruction on the slip road.”
The signage at the front of the station
Fines were introduced in the car park at the rear of the station last year, which Savile and Woods said was due to it being “largely full of people who were not authorised to be there meaning that the people who are, can not get in”.
West Kirby councillor, Max Booth, said he would be raising the matter with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
He said: “The signage has the potential to frighten local residents, particularly since it’s the same signage as the rear, where many people have received tickets when they waited in the area.
“I’ll be reaching out to my ward colleague, Cllr Simon Mountney, Conservative representative on the transport committee of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, to discuss this issue further.”
Colin Free from property agents Saville and Woods told us: “We have spoken at length with the concerned parties and also to the company that control/operate the ANPR Cameras. We are assured by them that this is the correct and appropriate wording and does not require changing.
“On behalf of the traders in the station shops and the operators of the ANPR System, we have always tried to be as accommodating as possible to the needs of all users of this area. However, we do also have to recognise that considerable inconvenience has been caused to both the traders, suppliers and the customers (and other users of the station) when people park vehicles thoughtlessly in unauthorised areas.”
