BUSINESS owners are urging the council to scrap parking charges at Wirral's country parks, fearing they will have a 'catastrophic' impact on visitors and nearby trade.
Plans to charge motorists 50p for the first hour, £1 for two hours or £2 all day Eastham, Thurstaston, Arrowe and Royden Country Parks were approved by councillors during a budget meeting last month.
The original plan for a £4 flat rate in country parks was rejected after a public backlash, with more than 18,000 people signing a petition against the idea.
The amended proposal was part of the Labour group's bid to raise extra cash to top-up threadbare budgets following Government cuts.
The council says charging will not deter visitors to Wirral.
But nearby business owners disagree, fearing that trade will also be hit hard, with severe impacts on staff.
Among them is Karen James-Hunt, proprietor of Eastham Woods Boarding Cattery.
Mrs James-Hunt, who has run the business for 20 years, located near the entrance to Eastham Country Park told the Globe: "The introduction of car parking charges is not only ill-thought out, but the impact on businesses at country parks will be catastrophic.
"As far as I'm concerned, the council has not listened to the people who signed the petition.
"Little or no consideration has been given to the impact.
"Does the council think that ripping the heart out of a small community and risking the livelihoods and homes of the small businesses at Eastham Country Park, together with the resultant loss of income from business rates and increased costs of traffic is worth the potential £150,000 income per year.
"I cannot comprehend why businesses located at all our country parks are not considered to be at risk of the same negative consequences as other Wirral businesses.
"What will happen next? Will the council put yellow lines down on the road and install parking metres?
"There are surely better options, such as immediately stopping production of the Wirral View newspaper".
Campaigners Pat Gibson-Saxty, Karen James-Hunt and Lynda Thomas in Eastham Country park with their letters of objection to parking charges
Pat Gibson-Saxty has owned the Mimosa Tea Garden for 40 years.
Assessing the impact of parking charges she said: "This is not just about the businesses, it’s about our homes.
“We all live on the premises and if businesses are hit, I fear for our futures.
“This is a dreadful decision, made by people of little brain and heart”.
Lynda Thomas has been licensee at the nearby Tap pub for 16 years.
She said: "Our feelings have been swept under the carpet by the council on this issue.
"This is a bikers’ pub. Bikers park here every weekend and the place is always busy.
"There is a Facebook page where bikers' groups have said they won't park at the Tap if they have to park.
"The impact is massive on so many levels".
Andy Dean from GJ’s coffee shop at Thurstaston Country Park said: "The majority of visitors to our shop take their dogs for a walk, cycle and horse ride.
"Commercially, parking charges of any kind will have a detrimental effect on our business and potentially put it under threat, resulting in job losses.
"The council is predicting a 30% decrease in footfall, but we think it will be a higher percentage, therefore local businesses will be taking a bigger hit".
On the introduction of parking charges for country parks, council leader Phil Davies said recently: "I believe this will meet the needs of local park users without deterring visitors to Wirral.
"In the last couple of years the council has invested more than £100,000 in improving car parks and footpaths at our country parks.
"Having dropped the proposals for on-street parking it makes sense to reduce the increase in the borough's car parks also.
"We have spoken to people all across the borough, and I believe this proposal recognises the concerns of local businesses and residents".
Related links:
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Wirral_Council_to_look_again_at_parking_charges/
Fears_that_Wirral_parking_charge_plan_could__decimate__attendance_at_youth_football_club/
Demonstration_against_Wirral_car_parking_charge_plan_tonight/
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