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Dear Wirral Council

Please find below comments on the proposed car-parking charges across Wirral. These comments are submitted on behalf of the Friends of New Brighton Marine Lake (FONBML), a group of local people who since 2023 have engaged in community action on behalf of the hundreds of people who regularly use New Brighton Marine Lake, collaborating with Wirral Council and other local groups on actions that will protect the Lake as a resource for local people for generations to come. FONBML is proud of what has been achieved over the last few years, and we ask you to note the high levels of participation in coastal activities that have been achieved by the inclusive community development approach that has been adopted by our group and the others that we work with. FONBML and its sister groups such as the Reluctant Runners and the New Brighton Outdoor Community have created opportunities for people who have never been before participated in their local community, people who have never previously engaged in physical activity, people who have experienced mental distress and isolation, people who have experienced exclusion and prejudice. Some examples of the groups we work with:

The 42 ‘friends’ who regularly volunteer to keep the Lake clean by litter picking, unblocking the sluices, and water testing. They also regularly organise community events and activities

The 300 plus members of New Brighton Outdoor Community who have helped with fundraising events and raising awareness

Sharing resources and running joint events with Wallasey Yacht Club and Wallasey Beach CIC

Work with local artists, photographers and film-makers – Colette Whittington, Tim Brunsden, Colin McPherson, Joe Forrest, Pete Carr, in particular

Daily swimming, running and cycling activities for the several hundred members of the Reluctant Runners and the Wirral Bluetits.

For more detail about the things that FONBML and these community groups have achieved together, please visit Friends of New Brighton Marine Lake – keeping the Lake clean and safe for the enjoyment of all.

We ask the Council to note, in the strongest terms, that the proposed charging schemes for car parking in New Brighton will undermine community volunteering, it will reduce participation in outdoor exercise, and hinder creative arts activities. The consequences will be felt most harshly by the worse off members of the community. Further, the scheme is counterproductive to the Councils own strategic priorities in relation to community regeneration and health and wellbeing. Finally, the charges are inequitable and unreasonable. We note that the Council proposes to apply a charge of £720 for parking in New Brighton and Leasowe, some of poorest areas of the Wirral, while the lower charge of £120 is available to parks in the better off areas of Wirral. On what basis was it decided that a walk in Royden Park should be kept accessible and affordable while a walk in Leasowe Bay should not?

In conclusion, FONBML wishes to register an objection, in the strongest possible terms, to the charges for Perch Rock Fort car park, and for the Gunsite car park.

As always, we are open to further discussion about the car-parking charges, and happy to discuss ideas that would moderate any adverse impacts.

Yours faithfully

Clare Mahoney

Secretary

On behalf of Friends of New Brighton Marine Lake