A CRACKDOWN against people who use Wirral’s highways as a “showroom” to sell cars has been pledged by highways chief Cllr Harry Smith.

Councillor Smith condemned the practice as “anti-social, unacceptable, illegal and probably dangerous.”

He said perpetrators would be dealt with by strong enforcement action.

He added: “We have stamped it out in a number of places and I would encourage the public to act as the council’s eyes and ears to help us identify where this is taking place.

“The more we can eradicate this practice the better it will be for legitimate car dealers who pay their rates.”

New Brighton Cllr Pat Hackett ordered an investigation by the highways department after being approached by people from neighbourhoods affected by the problem.

One Wallasey resident, who asked not to named, said she had been shocked by the growth in “littering” of the town’s streets by private cars for sale.

She complained that the cars were narrowing side streets and stopping people from parking to shop in their local area.

The resident identified nearly 30 incidents to Cllr Hackett across North Wirral at Wallasey, Moreton and Leasowe.

She said: “When I, and others, have been intimidated on our doorsteps by people selling their cars, the there is even more motivation to stop it.

“Some people have run businesses this way for years.

”It is not good for Wallasey, not good for Wirral. It is giving out all the wrong signals.”

Councillor Hackett said: “Many concerned residents have contacted me and we can assure those neighbourhoods and areas affected that we are doing all in our power to make sure this littering of our roads – which has seen a huge increase over the years – will be dealt with in the appropriate manner.”