A truce could be on the horizon between fuming traders and a Merseyside council following a crackdown by police. There have been fresh calls to resolve an ongoing dispute between businesses and traders in New Ferry and Merseyside Police and Wirral Council.

Traders have been complaining after recent enforcement by Merseyside Police saw fines handed out for cars being driven along and parked on Bebington Road, a pedestrianised area.

An emergency meeting was called as people slammed the fines given out as “absolutely disgraceful”. Mark Craig, representing shops on the high street, said “footfall and takings have plummeted in the last year” and things are “bordering on being unsustainable”.

A police officer fining drivers on January 13 | Submitted/LDRS

placeholder image — A police officer fining drivers on January 13 | Submitted/LDRS

The restrictions, which have been in place for decades, were enforced following complaints of dangerous driving. They only allow loading and unloading by local businesses after 4.30pm and before 10.30am, and despite the outcry from traders, many have praised the police action on social media.

However traders have pointed to the loss of the Woodhead Street car park to a new regeneration development arguing this has left car parks in the town full at times. As a result, Mr Craig said: “Several of the business owners felt they had no choice but to park on the precinct itself.”

Two public car parks in the area have a combined capacity of 138 spaces and the LDRS understands more than 50 spaces were available during visits by Wirral Council officers earlier this month. Following a letter, a Wirral Council spokesperson said: “Officers across a number of different council teams will look at the points raised and respond in due course.”

Now traders and the council will be meeting next month following an intervention by Wirral Council leader Cllr Paula Basnett. This was revealed at an environment committee meeting on Wednesday, January 28.

Green Party campaigner Tony Norbury praised the recent developments in the town but “wasn’t so pleased to see speeding traffic going up the pedestrianised precinct and causing a danger to both shoppers and kids”.

However he said it was essential people in the town were included in any plans going forward to make it safe for people, asking the council how it will work with traders angry over the fines “to make them feel as if the council values them and values the very unique offer they give”.

In response, Labour committee chair Cllr Liz Grey said Wirral Council leader Cllr Paula Basnett “has made council officers aware of recent concerns that have been raised by traders regarding parking and vehicle access within the pedestrianised area on Bebington Road”.

She said officers will be meeting with traders on Wednesday, February 4 to go through issues in more detail, adding another meeting will be held to inform the wider community and businesses about any changes to the pedestrianised section of Bebington Road.

Cllr Grey said: “Traders and local residents are valued very much and their views should help shape future decisions.” In response, Mr Norbury also called for fly-tipping in the area to be removed as quickly as possible.