A BID for half a million pounds of funding to kick-start New Ferry's regeneration more than a year after a devastating gas explosion rocked the town is to be submitted.

Council leader Phil Davies and Wirral South MP Alison McGovern are backing a bid for cash, from the Metro Mayor's Town Centre fund, which would kick start work as pressure grows on Government to act.

Twenty five residential properties and 12 businesses were affected by the blast on Saturday, March 25 last year – which left people homeless and businesses unable to trade.

Council Leader Phil Davies said: "I am delighted that Labour politicians on Wirral are coming together behind this bid.

"From myself as council leader and Alison McGovern the local MP, my cabinet colleagues and local ward councillors Joe Walsh and Irene Williams, and New Ferry campaigner Jo Bird, the whole Labour family is backing the New Ferry bid.

"This money can be used to start work on the New Ferry regeneration plan developed by the council and local residents, but despite us submitting it to Government over six months ago, we still haven't had any response or offers of funding.

"By working with Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram and Liverpool City Region we will bid for money from the Town Centre Fund and get on with the job required ourselves.

"Local residents feel let down by the Government.

"The Tories promised support when they came up to Wirral before the election in 2017, but we haven't heard or seen them since.

"I'm delighted to back this bid for much-needed funding for New Ferry but know Labour politicians will be keeping up the pressure on the Tories to deliver on their broken promises.

"Alison McGovern MP is organising a delegation to meet with the Secretary of State to demand action."

Labour campaigner Jo Bird said: "Talking to New Ferry residents and businesses, they are furious with the Government for abandoning them.

"The Government said it would help and has then turned its back on this community. It is an act of betrayal.

"I will be working with Wirral's Labour Council and local MP Alison McGovern to make sure local people's voices are heard and we see the regeneration of New Ferry we were promised by the Government."

Metro Mayor for the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, said: "We established this £5m fund and a new Town Centre Commission because we recognise how important our town centres are for the city region.

"I want to see meaningful outcomes which local residents and businesses support – and New Ferry is a town which clearly merits this sort of investment.

"Immediately after the explosion the Combined Authority donated £20,000 to the relief effort, but since then residents feel let down by Government in-action.

"If successful, this latest bid will see the start of the regeneration that New Ferry residents deserve."

The £500,000 bid for New Ferry is in addition to a bid for £500,000 to transform Liscard, making the total £1m.

Wirral Conservative group leader Ian Lewis said: "A week ago, our candidate in the Bromborough by-election, Des Drury, delivered a letter to homes across New Ferry, asking why Labour had not submitted a bid for cash for the town, after the Government announced an initial £100,000. 

"A week later, a hastily-drawn up bid is announced, after they initially said they were bidding for Liscard. 

"It's amazing what some healthy competition can do in the middle of a by-election campaign."

A Labour source said: "Unlike the Tories, Wirral Labour can support both Wallasey and Birkenhead".

New Ferry's Liberal Democrat by-election candidate Vicky Downie told the Globe: "People in New Ferry are sick of being treated as a political football for Labour and Conservatives to try and score points off.

"The aftermath of the explosion here has been a traumatic personal tragedy for everyone involved and those affected deserve some respect and genuine support.

"I am pleased that the council has finally come to its senses and has now agreed to bid for regional money for New Ferry.

"It's just a shame that it's taken them so long to decide to get things moving for the area."