A RIFT has emerged in the Wirral Labour party over the council move that could see parking charges introduced at coastal areas across the borough.

With a council consultation ongoing over the charges to be implemented in New Brighton, Leasowe, Hoylake and West Kirby, the Wallasey Constituency Labour Party (CLP) has voiced its objection to the move.

In a statement posted on Twitter, the CLP said following a vote, it is calling not only for the coastal charges to be scrapped, but also for those introduced earlier this year at the borough’s country parks to be axed.

The statement read: “Delegates from across the constituency met on Friday night and agreed that the charges will bring in relatively small amounts of money; will have a health and happiness cost, by discouraging residents from using green spaces and beaches; will disproportionately impact on poorer residents, for whom access to the country parks and the beaches is a relatively cheap activity, and for whom travel on public transport with children and associated equipment will be more expensive and inconvenient.”

The consultation is set to run until June 22, and a “day of action” in Hoylake and West Kirby at the weekend saw more than 300 people attend a public meeting and demonstration against the plans.

It took place at Melrose Hall in Hoylake and was organised by local residents alongside the Wirral Conservative group, with highways officers questioned about the plans.

The Wallasey CLP’s statement also said the council was in an “impossible position” by “ever more savage” cuts from the Government.

It added: “It is complete hypocrisy for the local Tories to complain about the local impact of their national policies.

“The Tory cuts are huge and the Labour Group on the council will not be able to balance the books by passing on those cuts to the people of Wirral.

"We need a mass campaign led by Labour Councils and the Trade Unions, to force the Tory Government to fund local services properly.”

It finished by saying the CLP had made a submission to the council’s consultation.

Responding to the statement, a Wirral Labour spokesman said the party was “grateful” for Wallasey CLP’s recognition that the cuts imposed by the Tory Government “are having a disastrous impact on councils across the UK”.

He added: “The reality is local authorities have to present balanced budgets and residents understand the dilemma we face.

"In this year alone, Wirral Council is being asked to find savings of £45m while delivering vital front-line services such as children’s, adult social care as well as day-to-day services which affect neighbourhoods across the borough.

“We are calling on the government to end its austerity plans and give Wirral council the resources it needs to deliver first-class services for residents.”

Responding to the comments, leader of the local Conservative group, cllr Ian Lewis said: "Resolutions and motions at meetings are all very well but what counts is votes – will the 12 Labour Councillors from Wallasey listen to their local Party or will they fall in to line behind the Labour Cabinet? 

"It’s also hypocrisy for a council that is wasting money left, right and centre to say they don’t have enough money.”