People were divided over new overnight parking charges that came into force in a seaside town.
As of Friday, July 8, people staying in motorhomes and campervans on a stretch of Coastal Drive in New Brighton must pay £20 to park there overnight. The area, adjacent to the Dips, is usually popular with motorhome owners who travel from across the country to stay there.
But the beauty spot has been left deserted since the parking charges came into force, which some have branded as "disgusting." Wirral Council said the charges are part of an experimental traffic regulation order (ETRO) that's in place for a period of 18 months, will be kept under regular review and can be amended if necessary.
READ MORE: Woman 'numb' after spotting her dog in 'horrific' CCTV footage
The ECHO understands the intention of the new charges is to better control where larger vehicles and motorhomes can park in order to remove obstruction on the public road, which is a statutory duty for local authorities. It is also understood that the new ETRO is expected to improve waste management in the area and help the authorities enforce the public space protection order in place at the New Brighton Dips.
On Saturday, the ECHO reported on the impact the charges have had on the area in recent weeks, as some motorhome owners said it has put them off staying there altogether. News of the parking charges sparked a debate among local residents, motorhome owners and ECHO readers as people took to social media to have their say.
Lyn Patricia said: "If you are paying 20 pounds what are they giving you? It’s absolutely disgusting what they are doing."
ECHO reader Bob Teague said: "What a disgusting rip off!"
Deb Barry said: "Why not make it a maximum of a 7 day stay so that people can’t park there permanently if that’s their issue, or £5 a night, a reasonable charge for literally a parking space on a road?"
Den Rubio said: "Wirral Council doing their job to deter tourist for spending their hard earn cash at our locals. Campervans have never been an issue at all. New Brighton has plenty of spaces for everyone."
Helen Gammon said: "Parking charges on Wirral are ridiculous, it deters people from local shops, cafes and bars, and they end up going to big retail parks with free parking. It’s taking money out of the small business economy every day - e.g. does a family with a budget go to Woodside with local pop up food stalls, with the kids for lunch and pay parking, or go to Nando’s in Croft with free parking? I would love to see the impact assessments around these decisions!"
People also branded the amount of road signs that have been put up around the area informing people about the parking charges as an "eyesore." Posting in a local community group, one man said: "Why was it necessary to put the signposts up every few metres?
"There's probably well over 100 of them and they are an eyesore in themselves. How much did that cost per post I wonder? Surely the council could have achieved the same enforcement zone with just a fraction of the posts and signs.
"Also, when there are motorsports events on the promenade, those posts are going to be a huge hazard to any of the competitors."
A spokesperson for Wirral Council told the ECHO all traffic signs and road markings introduced as part of the scheme conform with regulations.
John Luxton said: "The council are missing a money making trick here. There is plenty of space in the area. Set up a formally managed and serviced short stay caravan site for touring vans and motor homes.
"If the council don't want to run it themselves franchise it out. Councils are always wanting to make more money and I am sure if decent organised facilities were offered people might even be willing to pay more than £20. Of course there will be cheapskates who don't want to pay for anything."
Phil Ashton said: "There's a few sites on Wirral that you can stay at with facilities. The point is the charge here is probably so high to stop them parking its a deterrent or appears to be anyway."
The ECHO understands the council continues to look at the options around provision of a dedicated off street motorcaravan site. On the other side of the debate, local residents said motorhomes parking near the Dips were staying for long periods of time, blocking the road and the seaview.
Frank Cookson said: "It’s a lovely area that since covid has turned into a motor home car park. There are stretches where they block the view of the sea. They hog the coast road."
Carl Stewart said: "The thing is there is too many campervans and some park across 3 bays."
Sue Williams said: "Answers simple, go to caravan site with all facilities provided like everyone else. Some people want to contribute zero to local economy."
Kaz Bluett said: "It would cost them more than that to stay overnight at a camp site."
Suzanna Thomas said: "It’s not, and never has been a camp site!"
A spokesperson for Wirral Council said: “This is an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO), in place for a period of 18 months. As such it will be kept under regular review and can be amended if necessary. As with any new ETRO, people can express their views about it to the council within the first six months of its implementation.
“They can do this online at www.wirral.gov.uk/highways, or in writing to Simon Fox, Interim Director Highways & Streetscene, PO Box 290, Brighton Street, Wallasey, Wirral CH27 9FQ. Quote the scheme reference number TO/22/07.
“All traffic signs and road markings introduced as part of the scheme conform with regulations.”
READ NEXT:
Return of Target One: Could Curtis Warren fill EncroChat void?
Liverpool heatwave updates and travel advice as temperatures soar
Liverpool Council chief executive Tony Reeves resigns
Man, in his 30s, dies after crashing Mercedes on M62
'Strange' symptom of new covid strain affecting people at night
