Formby Cllrs furious as parking charges are passed for Sumner Road

Sefton Council are pressing forward with their plans to introduce parking charges at the village car park

Formby councillors are furious after the council decided to press forward with their plans to introduce pay and display charges at Sumner Road car park, despite a public outcry.

The matter was called in by three councillors at the Overview and Scrutiny committee meeting on Tuesday night, but the motion was carried.

Council leaders recently changed their mind on imposing charges at their Verulam Road Car Park, next to the Botanic Gardens in Churchtown, after opposition from local residents. It was hoped they may also be encouraged to perform a second u-turn in Formby.

Planned charges at Burbo Bank, overlooking Crosby Beach, will also go ahead.

Formby Councillor Denise Dutton, the deputy leader of Sefton Conservative Group: said: "There is a lack of consistency in relation to the officers’ recommendation to proceed with the introduction of parking charges in Sumner Road, Formby but not to proceed with those in Verulam Road and the Botanic Gardens.

"We are very unhappy with the decision and think its a very unfair ruling. We don't think we've been consulted properly and believe this will be incredibly detrimental to Formby.

"Lots of people pop into the village and park at the car park and use the local shops, this just wont happen anymore if you have to pay to use the car park. This is the death knell for Formby.

"When charges were introduced at other car parks in Formby at least two businesses closed. We need to protect our small shops and give them a chance, this is just such a travesty for the village."

Cllr Dutton is now planning to continue the campaign against the decision and is encouraging people to write to the council, objecting to the charges.

A statement was read out by Cllr Owens. Here is the full transcript of what was said by Cllr Owen who ascribed the comments to Cllr Killen

It appears that unfortunately Cllr Killen's comments were offered as a justification for continuing the push for parking charges but, Cllr Killen said that this is incorrect. "It was not a statement from me and I had no idea he was going to read that out at the meeting and certainly did not ask him to. They were simply informal comments I had made to him about the car parking charges and were in no way meant to reflect any support for the charges".

A spokesman for Sefton Council said: "As part of this year's budget setting process to save more than £55 million over the next two years, it was agreed to introduce parking charges at Sumner Road car park, Formby. "However, this decision was later 'called in' but after careful consideration, the Overview & Scrutiny meeting held on 29 September recommended to introduce the charges at Sumner Road. "As part of the next step towards making a proposed Traffic Regulation Order at the site, we will in due course formally advertise it in the local media and on signs at the car park."

Making Sumner Road car park pay and display would cost £28,000; £1,000 for legal and administrative costs, plus £27,000 for machine purchase and installation.

Charges have not yet been prescribed but council officers say is likely that they will match the existing charges currently in place at the car parks in Waterloo, which are:

Up to 30 mins 20p

Up to 2 hours 90p

Up to 4 hours £1.70

Over 4 hours £3.40