COUNCIL bosses are calling on the Government to use the Chancellor’s Budget to help New Ferry bounce back after the devastating explosion.

Today, Philip Hammond will deliver the Autumn budget but Wirral Council believe cash should be put aside to help rebuild the town.

Independent experts have developed a regeneration plan which has undergone many consultations with people and business affected by the explosion.

It is hoped the plan would see the town’s high street restored and more modern homes built in the area.

The plans include; residential developments on part of the Woodhead Street car park and on Bebington Road, a mixed use residential and retail development of Woodhead Street car park and New Chester Road.

Also, a redeveloped retail centre within New Ferry, repurposing the former Co-Op building and a new green space alongside New Chester Road all feature as part of the plan.

So far the Council has spent more than £300,000 on clearing the explosion site.

Leader of Wirral Council Cllr Phil Davies said: “The people of New Ferry will be listening and watching the budget tomorrow, in the hope the Government will come through on its promise to fund the rebuilding of the town.

“Residents have had enough of warm words and ministerial photo opportunities – now they want to see action.

"Ministers met residents and business owners face to face earlier this year and pledged to provide the support required to rebuild New Ferry – Wirral is waiting to see if they will deliver on their promise.

“Local residents and businesses have played a huge role in working with the Council and other partners in developing this plan, and I once again pay tribute to their resilience, determination and courage in responding to such a devastating incident.

“Their plan to rebuild the town is comprehensive, ambitious and, crucially, retains the character of New Ferry.

“Across Wirral we are looking at ambitious regeneration schemes.

!The plan for New Ferry will restore the town to its former glory – a bustling, thriving retail centre which people want to visit.

“It builds on the great community spirit that already exists in the town, proposes new homes to connect New Ferry to Port Sunlight and opens up new road ways and access points to let shoppers and residents move seamlessly across the two towns.

“The clearance of abandoned shops and replacing them with a green recreational space will also create a fitting entrance to New Ferry for visitors to the area.

“This plan delivers a clear vision, and we are calling on the Government to back up their words with action: it’s time to help the people of New Ferry.”

On March 25, New Ferry was left devastated by a blast which left residents in the immediate area homeless, businesses unable to trade and left two people critically injured.

Wirral South MP Alison McGovern said: “I fully support Wirral Borough Council’s call for the Chancellor to announce funding for New Ferry in tomorrow’s budget.

“The council is now presenting a regeneration plan to the government and they will be seeking funding as part of this. So far the government has let New Ferry down.

“In the initial aftermath of the explosion in March there was no financial assistance offered.

"People were displaced from their homes, business owners weren’t able to do any trading because of the damage to their buildings and people sustained serious injury.

"The town was cordoned off and the scene of the explosion was devastating.

“New Ferry has slowly got back to some normality after the explosion thanks to the efforts of the council and local residents who have been working hard helping people. But there are still many issues left to address.

“The government must take this opportunity to do the right thing and I therefore implore them to announce help for New Ferry immediately.

"The government have neglected New Ferry for too long and starved them off funding when the town needed it the most. Now it’s time for them to do the right thing.”