DEMOLITION has begun on the worst affected buildings at the New Ferry explosion site.

Properties from numbers 56 to 66 Bebington Road, which took the brunt of the blast on March 25, are being dismantled by FTS Demolition Ltd in a 10-week contract.

The affected properties are a mixture of ground floor businesses with residential accommodation above.

This was the only opportunity for anyone to gain access ‘behind the cordon’ of the blast site.

Labour Councillor for Bromborough Warren Ward told the Globe: "There’s mixed feelings really, half of me feels this is an exciting time for New Ferry it marks a key milestone for the future vision of the area.

"The other part of me feels it is sad because what we see here is empty shells of people’s lives and businesses that have been here for 20 to 30 years of hard slog.

"You’ve got to remember that throughout this process.

"We hold a weekly meeting with businesses and residents with myself and senior leading officer David Ball in attendance and provide updates - it is about being transparent with everyone.

"I think that residents are in two minds because again, we’re bringing down buildings that have been here since New Ferry’s lifetime as a high street.

"The other half think that is a key point in the regeneration and it is an exciting day for the future of New Ferry."

The demolition work has gone ahead without support from the government.Wirral Globe:

The buildings set to be demolished marked by red line

Cllr Ward added: "I think that the governments no show at New Ferry is a national disgrace – I have been very open about that and saying that.

"I think for the residents I’m extremely disappointed and we expected more than that from them.

"When the minister was here in new Ferry he turned around said it’s not a 'big enough' disaster even though he’s been here and his boots have been on the ground.

"We’ve also had Sajid Javid here in Wirral at the time of the explosion.

“He’s secretary of state and head of this response – he didn’t turn up.

"New Ferry has been kicked in the teeth far too many times by the Tories locally and we will continue that fight, we’re not going to let them get away with it.

"We’re here we’re fighting and we’re stronger than ever.

"I will always continue to push this government – we’ll continue the fight to getting a response for this community and how they can support the regeneration of New Ferry."

The council will shortly be taking some early regeneration plans for the New Ferry area out to residents to get their views.

Wirral Council's head of regeneration and planning David Ball said: "These properties were occupied by five businesses previously and we’re helping to relocate those to new premises – the opticians has already found a new premises which is positive.

"The only reason why we’re taking down these properties are that they’re very dangerous and unstable condition and they cannot be repaired at an economic cost so it is a last resort measure.

"Over the past couple of months we’ve allowed people in the building to take their belongings out, now obviously it is not safe to do that – we’ve done.

"Following the demolition we’ve started discussion with the owners over the land and what they may want to do with it so there will be some proposals emerging which we will be consulting on in a few weeks’ time, bringing some residential use back to this site or businesses."