A MAJOR revamp of resident parking schemes across Wirral has been approved by the council's Labour cabinet.

It follows an all-party probe into widespread demand to protect residents' ability to park near their homes in areas of high demand for on street parking.

Cllr Stuart Whittingham, cabinet member for highways, said the scheme's aim is to protect residents who already have parking schemes in place and ensure they do not face extra costs.

Existing resident parking schemes which are currently free will be left in place for current residents.

Those living there will continue to benefit from protection of parking near their homes, while those moving into the area will pay only for new permits issued.

New residents moving into areas where there are historic resident parking schemes would be asked to pay for new passes for their vehicles.

Elsewhere, the current system of asking residents to contribute to the cost of introducing new schemes, such as the recent resident parking in New Brighton, will be expanded across the borough with just a £10 charge for permits

Cllr Whittingham said: "It is important we are able to provide an effective, sustainable and well-managed service for residents’ parking schemes.

"This is an issue which comes up in many communities all across the borough and it is therefore right that members from all parties have an input in how the service is provided in the future.

"I thank the members who took part in the scrutiny review.

"The recommendations are helpful, well researched and I am sure will help us develop the quality and availability of this service in the future."

Cllr Whittingham said: "Some of these schemes have been in place for many years and were introduced to deal with areas of high demand, such as around Tranmere Rovers football ground and busy shopping areas where residents faced misery as hundreds of drivers parked outside their homes.”

Council leader Phil Davies said: "This change shows how our Labour-run council is listening to residents.

"Unfortunately seven years of the failed Tory austerity experiment means the local authority must charge for new resident parking schemes if people want them put in place."

Welcoming the news, Moreton and Saughall Massie councillor Chris Blakeley said: "Myself, Labour councillor Jean Stapleton and Liberal Democrat councillor Dave Mitchell worked for several months to see how the existing scheme could be adapted to enable more residents, especially in roads which didn't previously qualify, to be helped.

"Here in Moreton, Holt Avenue is a perfect example - a small cul-de-sac in a busy shopping area where parking is a nightmare for people who live there.

"Our report and proposals have been sitting on Councillor Whittingham's desk for months so it's good that he's finally acted."

"If he's looking for money, he could scrap the Wirral View newspaper and save an immediate £270,000."