Residents of a Merseyside borough have said controversial new parking charges set to be introduced will be the "death knell" for many small businesses.
On Tuesday night, Wirral Council's Decision Review Committee to introduce new charges in off-street car parks in locations such as Bromborough, Bebington, Irby, Hoylake, West Kirby and New Brighton.
With parking currently free, the new charges may take as long as nine months to implement due to a consultation process which must be completed before fees come in.
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Five Labour councillors, Green councillor Pat Cleary and Liberal Democrat Chris Carubia voted in favour, while four Conservatives voted against, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
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Parking fees at council-run car parks will charge a standard rate of £1 per hour for the first four hours, with a maximum charge of £5 for a full day of parking, within the next few weeks after last night’s decision.
Many were furious about the vote.
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Commenting on the Facebook page Crimewatch , one person said: “They have just sounded the death knell for many small businesses, if it's a pound an hour like in many places, spending a day in somewhere like New Brighton is going to cost a small fortune when you are looking to keep your kids occupied in school holidays.
“They already have parking meters at places like Arrowe Park, Royden Park, and some other places.
"If they need to save money, then why don't they cut down on the ridiculous salaries they pay themselves, and money they waste on vanity projects.”
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Some in the group agreed. One person added: “Disgraceful to charge people to park at coastal car parks, families taking kids to the beach for a day out, how else are you supposed to get there?”
Another member of the group said: "It will kill shops and send people to the retail parks.”
Posting on another Facebook page, Wirral Gossip Original, one person doubted that Wirral Council will get the income it wants from the move.
She said: “The council won’t make [its] money back, as people will either avoid going or use public transport.
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“Local businesses will suffer, but our council doesn’t seem to care about that. Nice one [Wirral Council], you sure know how to make areas inviting to visitors!”
However, not everyone agreed.
One person made a point which was discussed at length at the committee, the idea that bringing in more parking charges may encourage people to use their cars less.
They said: “I shall endeavour to walk or cycle to the beaches now, here's hoping the motorway guys don't mind. I'll be leaving my car at home, that's the whole idea isn't it?”
Another part of the argument in favour of the move made last night is that council officers said the authority is losing £1m per year from car parks currently, given the many costs of upkeep and enforcement.
Those in favour of the decision said it was about breaking even on car parking to avoid putting other facilities and services at risk such as Oxton’s Williamson Art Gallery, Birkenhead’s Europa Pools or the borough’s lollipop men and women.
Arguing this point, another person said: “So the council [is] funding car parks at a loss, if they introduce a small charge then they break even and the money made in revenue should go towards upkeep.
“I'd pay a quid, it's a small fee compared to what you're paying elsewhere for parking charges.”