PUBLIC consultation is underway on plans for charges at locations across Wirral where car parking is currently free.

Ending on Christmas Eve, it follows a decision by the council's environment, climate emergency and transport committee in the summer to standardise charges in existing pay-to-park locations and introduce charges to more parking areas.

A spokesperson for the authority said: "These decisions allow the council to provide a fair and sustainable parking policy and continue to provide public car parks and access areas into the future in a fair and sustainable manner, given the financial strains on other areas.

"It is estimated it will raise an additional £500,000 in revenue and will play a part in helping the council achieve a balanced budget going forward."

Under the plans, Blue (disabled) badge holders would be exempt from the requirement to pay for parking as long as a valid badge is clearly displayed.

The areas where new charges are proposed and that are subject to consultation are:-

• Kings Parade / Coastal Drive, New Brighton - Scheme ref no. TO/18/06

• North Parade / Meols Parade, Hoylake and Meols – Scheme ref no. TO/18/07

• South Parade, West Kirby – Scheme ref no. TO/18/08

• Bayview Drive / Harrison Drive – Scheme ref no. TO/18/09

• Derby Pool Car Park, New Brighton – Scheme ref no. TO/18/10A

• The Gunsite Car Park, Leasowe – Scheme ref no. TO/18/10B

• Other Off-Street Car Parks – Scheme ref no. TO/21/19: Fort Perch Rock Car Park, New Brighton / Chamberlain Street Car Park, Birkenhead / Old Chester Road-Chamberlain Street Car Park, Birkenhead / Turner Street Car Park, Birkenhead / Banks Road Car Park, Heswall / Roslin Road Car Park, Irby / Fishers Lane Car Park, Pensby / Carr Lane Car Park, Hoylake / Charles Road Car Park, Hoylake / Market Street Car Park, Hoylake / Barlow Avenue Car Park, Bebington / Church Road Car Park, Bebington / Roland Avenue Car Park, Bebington / Allport Lane Car Park, Bromborough / Mill Park Drive Car Park, Eastham / Manor Road Car Park, Liscard / Garden Lane Car Park, Moreton / Holt Avenue Car Park, Moreton / Pasture Road Car Park, Moreton / Rappart Road Car Park, Seacombe / Thurstaston Common Car Park, Thurstaston.

Further information and a link to the online survey can be found at https://haveyoursay.wirral.gov.uk/car-parking-charges-traffic-regulation

The survey will close on Friday, December 24.

The council spokesperson continued: "All feedback provided will be taken back to the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee before any decisions are taken to introduce charges at new locations.

"Due to this process, parking charges are not likely to be introduced at any new locations until 2022.

"Resident parking schemes are separate to the above procedure.

"Applications for resident parking schemes will be dealt with individually and only after the new charges have been decided."