Following our 'Q&A' on the problems caused by the large number of vans parked on Kings Parade, Leasowe Road and Cross Lane, Councillors Ian Lewis and Lesley Rennie met with the Council's Chief Executive and senior directors on 7 March.
Since then, the most frequent question from residents is ‘when?’ and, from the meeting, we now understand the former gas works site will be ready for use by this company by the end of March, aiming for parts to be occupied sooner.
However, it is very disappointing (but perhaps not surprising) that the company chose not to pursue your offer for use of the (mostly vacant) multi-storey car park in Birkenhead to enable relocation now.
We have asked that the Council makes it clear to West Wallasey that once the leases expire on the various sites which are designated for medium term regeneration (e.g. Dock Road and former gas works, Seacombe), that the Authority has NO other land available and we will NOT jeopardise the Local Plan at the behest of any single company.
To summarise what was agreed/discussed:
- Following our earlier request, officers in Highways are now working on an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order to prohibit ALL overnight parking at Kings Parade and Coastal Drive, except for those areas where camper van paid parking is offered. This will not be subject to delays by consultation or referral to committee. It will be for a maximum of 18 months (as per the Road Traffic Acts), but could be made permanent thereafter, and before the expiry of the two year lease at the former gas works
- The ‘missing’ signs advising of the current TRO on the ‘Sandcliffe Road’ stretch between Coastal Drive and Kings Parade (as per the map given to Simon) will be replaced ASAP and ideally before the Easter break to deal with the current long-term camper van parking
- In light of the £531,318 authority spend with this company in 2021/22-2023/24 (as advised by the Director of Finance, 22 February), the Chief Executive will review whether further services are procured and whether a stop can be applied, and other Wirral companies used instead. It is frankly ludicrous that a company whose actions have generated the need for the actions outlined today (and over many years) is, at the same time, benefitting from taxpayer spend
- The Director of Neighbourhoods will be responsible for overseeing ALL matters relating to this company and the authority, to avoid decisions being taken in isolation by relevant departments
- The authority will examine the options/costs for adopting the currently unadopted section of Cross Lane that, due to WW vehicles, is preventing access by the public to local authority and Forestry England land, followed by relevant TRO/ETROs
- Recently ‘removed’ safety bollards on Leasowe Road will be replaced and a guardrail installed (as promised previously) on the central reservation to prevent further traffic offences, as previously witnessed and evidenced
- A copy of the leases will be provided, for us to share with residents (these are attached, below)
- Enforcement of the current and planned Traffic Regulation Orders at all sites will be assessed for further resource and activity
Our next meeting will be on Wednesday 27 March to review the above actions, and associated issues.
In the meantime, the powers available to councils to deal with parking issues can be found in this recent House of Commons Library report
