Some called for the permit scheme to be scrapped ahead of new charges
People living on a quiet Wirral road were confused when they saw a police car turn up late on a Sunday night. It was after vandals had taken an angle grinder to several posts displaying parking permit signs with three poles were completely sawn off and a fourth damaged.
Merseyside Police said the vandalism took place on October 6 on Cecil Road and Elm Road North in Prenton, Wirral. They said it was reported at around 9.40pm that two people were seen cutting down metal street poles along Cecil Road and Elm Road North with an angle grinder.
The police said the suspects then made off in the direction of Woodchurch Road and enquiries were “now underway to identify the suspects and bring them to justice.” They are appealing for witnesses or anyone who captured any CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage to get in touch.
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Two people remember the police car going up and down the road though initially didn’t know why they were there. On Cecil Street, people had letters posted through their doors telling them how to oppose the proposed charges which some believe suggests the vandalism was a protest against controversial new parking charges being proposed by Wirral Council.
One man who did not wish to be named and lives near one of the posts that have been chopped down said: “I had no idea. I just drove up and it was gone.” Having lived on the street for 46 years, he said the permit scheme was first introduced around 30 years ago to stop customers in nearby shops from parking there.
As it was introduced before 2007, no one has ever had to pay to have a permit on Cecil Road. However, like many on the street, he would rather see it gone than pay for it.
He said: “At the time, the shops were different. They are just estate agents now,” adding: “I would prefer to keep it as it is but failing that, they can scrap it and we can fight for space.”
William Jones said: “A lot of the people here do not have driveways so we have no choice to park on the road. They have no choice really,” adding: “I just don’t see the justification.
“How are they going to police this? Are they going to have a traffic warden here? That is going to cost a lot more. How are you going to police it at all? How are you going to enforce it at all?”
Mr Jones said people regularly parked on the road without permits, adding: “Why don’t they just take it away altogether?
“Do away with the whole scheme altogether. That might be the answer to the problem.”
Many wanted to see the scheme scrapped if they have to pay. One woman said she thought the charges were outrageous given the current cost of living and claimed there wasn’t any enforcement, adding: “I wouldn’t care if they remove it. People come and park here anyway.”
Russell McKae said he wouldn’t pay for it, adding: “I would say you can come and take the parking permit off me. Are they going to fine you for parking outside of your house? They would have to take me to court.
“I know everywhere is strapped for cash but taking more off people is just not good. I am sure there are other areas of misspending the council can look at.”
Wirral Council is planning to bring in a number of changes to certain car parks and on-street locations including charges at 22 car parks that are currently free. A public feedback exercise is currently ongoing and is due to end on October 23 before being considered by councillors.
As part of these changes, the local authority is also looking to increase parking permits to £60 for residents and £40 for visitors. On its website, the local authority said the changes were reflective of inflation since they were last increased in 2007.
According to a letter responding to concerns in New Brighton by Dame Angela Eagle, it’s understood “the administration cost to the council is higher than the income generated from the residents’ parking permit schemes.” However some Labour councillors within the local authority have criticised the increase of permit charges from £10 to £60.
Prenton is currently represented by the Green Party which has come out in support of the new parking charge plans. The party’s co-leader Cllr Pat Cleary said: “This is fairer as currently all council taxpayers subsidise parking, whether they own a vehicle or not.
“For many Wirral residents, especially those struggling financially, owning a car is not an option. “It is unfair to ask these families to subsidise parking for others when their money could be better used to support local services and improve public spaces.”
Notices posted along the street and in other parking permit areas displaying the new charges will also be taken down after these said changes to permit costs would be brought in on October 28, regardless of what people had to say. Wirral Council now said the permit charges will be considered by councillors along with any of the other proposals.
