Council Car Parks: Which Site Could Earn The Most Cash for Wirral?

The council needed money, about £300,000. New parking fees aimed to fix that budget gap. Wirral will start charging at 22 free car parks and expects to earn a lot more money.

Councillors agreed to spend £1 million on parking. The money is for new car park stuff, including equipment and new signs. Road markings will also get updated.

Borrowing that £1 million costs £87,000 each year. The council hopes to earn £300,000 yearly by 2026 by charging at new and existing car parks. A £1 overnight charge will also help.

A council member shared figures with the ECHO. The 22 free car parks should make £161,741, and the overnight charge could bring in £40,000. Existing paid parking could make an extra £100,000.

Conservatives tried to stop the funding, but Labour and Green councillors voted against it. The plan passed with support across parties. Wirral Council faced past criticism about parking.

A government review said they needed financial control, and councillors were told to accept tough choices. Some wanted everyone to move forward. Conservatives said the debt was unnecessary now.

A councillor worried about shops in two areas. They listed the car parks and their expected income.