MORE than 2,000 people have signed a petition calling for closure-threatened Woodside ferry terminal to be kept open.

A new cost-saving strategy, which proposes the closure of either Woodside or Seacombe landing stage to make the service more viable, was approved during a meeting of transport organisation Merseytravel councillors when it met on Thursday.

Merseytravel chairman Liam Robinson called for a re-think on the controversial scheme, urging officers to investigate the option of a three-terminal service.

More than 200 people added their names to a petition organised by Save Woodside Ferries Action Group on Saturday.

Group spokesman Jeff Judge told the Globe: “We have 1763 signatures online at change.org, with over 500 added this week alone.

"Following the fantastic turnout at the terminal on Saturday, we have about 200 additional signatures on our paper petition.

"Our facebook page 'Save Woodside Ferry' has seen a huge increase in views this week, with over 6000 people reached.”

Birkenhead MP Frank Field, the group's president said: "It was a terrific response, re-enforcing the message that Birkenhead won't take this proposal lying down.

"A huge number of people turned out to say no to this."

The 20-year plan centres around reducing ferry running costs for the public, building on their commercial potential and ensuring they are sustainable.

No decisions were made on any of the proposals outlined in the report during the meeting at Merseytravel's headquarters at Mann Island in Liverpool.

Cllr Robinson said: "The Mersey Ferries are an iconic symbol of our City Region and it is right and proper that we, as their passionate guardians, take a long term view of what we need to do to keep them on the water for all to enjoy for generations to come.

"We have to balance the need for efficiency to the public purse with their wider economic potential. This is what people would expect of us.

"Approving the strategy now means we have a framework that sets out the decisions that we as Merseytravel committee members will need to take.

"We will also take into account views and feedback received.

"This is already reflected in the additional recommendation to request officers to look into options to maintain a three terminal service.

"The potential for new vessels purpose-built for a leisure market and more frequent sight-seeing sailings in summer months would take the ferries in a new sustainable direction and one that could support and capitalise on new developments and investment along the water front."

Mr Field said: "It's encouraging that Merseytravel have asked its officers to reconsider their proposals.

"I hope their listening mode will continue as we present to them our plans for securing the ferries' long-term future."

Council leader Phil Davies echoed Mr Field's thoughts, adding: "MerseyTravel can now be in no doubt about the depth of feeling Wirral residents have about the ferries at Woodside and Seacombe.

"More than a hundred people attended the protest on Saturday and a thousand more have signed the petition.

"Local Labour councillors, MPs, residents and businesses should be applauded for the campaign they have launched.

"Woodside is an important part of Birkenhead's past and will be a major contributor to its future as developers and investors look at the Birkenhead waterfront for economic regeneration.

"Seacombe is an important gateway to the Wirral coast and New Brighton for visitors.

"The ferry plays an important role linking Liverpool with Wirral and we have been crystal clear in our message to the MerseyTravel Authority, think again."