GLOBE readers have shown their anger after the Government said it must delay offering help to rebuild New Ferry due to the snap general election.

Wirral South MP Alison McGovern was joined by Wirral’s assistant director of environmental services David Ball yesterday (Tuesday) to discuss the impact of the devastating explosion with secretary of state for communities and local government, Sajid Javid.

Although the talks were positive, the government cannot make any decisions with a general election looming.

This means New Ferry will have to wait till after June 8.

On Twitter Ms McGovern wrote: “The Government cannot take any decisions because of the election.

“I will be making sure everyone knows New Ferry regeneration must happen.”

Mrs May vowed to help rebuild New Ferry and thanked those who worked so hard to support their local community.

Labour ward councillor Warren Ward said: "It's disappointing, because now is not the time to play party politics with people's lives.

"The devastation in New Ferry is clear and we can't afford to wait until June 8 to have support from the Government.

"We certainly will continue to support the community at grass root level, but I would have expected a lot more from the government.

"I've had hundreds of conversations with residents and the need is clear.

"These are people's homes; they can't get access to their homes because we don't know what the future is for their properties.

"Until we get a clear message from the government on what it is going to do, we can't progress any further.

"The council is doing all that it can under what are extreme circumstances anyway, but the government needs to intervene in this

"I would have expected a better response.

"This would have been an opportunity for the government to stick up for those that are in need".

Kathryn Yardley is a resident whose home was damaged in the blast and is among volunteers at a local donation station to help fellow victims.

She said: "As soon as the election was called yesterday, it was obvious that we weren't going to get the funding, because obviously they have now got bigger issues.

"This is a huge issue and it's not going to go away. There are people who have lost everything".  

Our readers have also expressed their views on social media.

Mark Hughes said: "Does it matter who's in charge?

"The area needs massive regeneration. If this happened where Theresa May lived would it be left till after the general election?”

Helen Wray wrote: "Considering the tories are desperate for North West votes that decision is a major error on May's part.

"It's simple, yes or no, why does it need to wait until after the election. It needs doing whatever the result."

Sue Peace said: "If New Ferry was in a different county we would have had aid by now."

Sandra Hamilton wrote: "That's disgraceful. People's lives held to ransom."

Peter Williams said: “We should get used to political blackmail by now but somehow it still hurts when people's lives are treated with such contempt – shame, shame.”

Anne Craig wrote: “I knew it was hot air when the government said they'd help.

“Is May going to let people stay at her house until people can afford to repair their homes?”

Last week residents and business owners were allowed back inside their properties for the first time since the blast which injured 34 people.

The most badly damaged properties around the explosion site remain sealed off to the public.

A community meeting will take place at St Mark’s Church Hall in New Ferry on Monday, April 24, at 5.30pm.

A special telephone number has been set up for anyone affected who needs extra support to help cope with the aftermath of the incident such as counselling.

Anyone affected can call 0151 649 1859 between 10am and 4pm.