We asked, you said, we did

We Asked

We asked for feedback on the Wallasey Town Hall Quarter Masterplan. The masterplan proposed a remodelled Town Hall Quarter with a centralised plaza as a focal open space around the Town Hall, potential to deliver 496 new homes, improved transport and connectivity, a New Riverside School on the existing school site, and a new 21st century leisure facility to replace the existing Guinea Gap leisure centre.

You Said

104 people responded to the consultation; most were local residents. 61.2% of the responses said they supported this masterplan whilst 14.6% said they did not support it. 73.3% of the responses said that the main benefit / opportunity this masterplan could deliver was to improve the image of the town. The next most popular options were ‘Create new / improved facilities for local people’, ‘Provide a neighbourhood where local people may choose to stay and live’ and ‘Make the town a better place for children’. The objective that respondents agreed with the most was ‘Providing a new Riverside Primary School and Guinea Gap Leisure Centre would make a positive contribution to Seacombe’. Residents also agreed overall that the proposed masterplan would benefit local people and businesses in Seacombe. 37.2% of residents felt that the masterplan was too ambitious / unrealistic. People commented on the facilities and services they would like in the area, saying that leisure services should be maintained and that there needs to be facilities for children. Some said that more housing will require more services such as doctor’s surgeries.

We Did

At the Economy, 04/12/2024 - Economy Regeneration & Housing Committee(External link) the Wallasey Town Hall Quarter was adopted as the Council’s approved planning strategy for the area.

Link to consultation page.

We Asked

Wirral Council (Active Wirral) is seeking the views of residents to understand the community need and requirements for PlayZones in Wirral, to support a bid to expand Wirral's PlayZone offer.

You Said

426 people responded to the consultation.

86.6% of people indicated that they would like a PlayZone in Wirral.

Click to view the consultation page

We Did

A bid was submitted to the Football Foundation for a new PlayZone in Wirral. Although the bid was well received, and it was accepted that there is a community need and requirement for a PlayZone offer in Wirral, however the bid has not been approved due to unmet funding requirements. Active Wirral will continue to seek opportunities to bid for funding for PlayZone facilities.

We Asked

A public consultation was conducted from 4 September to September 2023 to help understand people’s attitudes and behaviours about burning at home, with the aim to create a campaign to improve air quality in Wirral.

You Said

1,537 people responded to the consultation.

The survey concluded that finances and necessity were strong drivers for burning indoors, over and above aesthetic, comfort, or waste disposal needs. The results also note that there is high intention to burn in the future, with more people intending to burn than currently do, with the majority of this having the intention of burning to heat their homes.

Most participants knew what a Smoke Control Area was, however most did not know whether or not they lived in one. Nor did most people attribute indoor and outdoor burning to health conditions such as asthma, coronary heart disease and lung disease.

Click to view the consultation page and report.

We Did

A campaign was developed, with the support of DEFRA, and the outcome of the public consultation informed the tone, visuals and messaging of the campaign. Campaign channels included, Social media – Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), Local media – Wirral Globe, Liverpool Echo and Partnerships with local supermarkets, discount stores and small businesses.

Best practice for home burning can be viewed here.

We Asked

A public consultation was conducted from 24 July to 25 September regarding phases 3 and 4 of the 20mph speed limit programme.

Participants of the consultation were asked whether they supported or objected to the programme of roads for 20mph speed limits and the reasons for their sentiments.

You Said

1,782 people responded to the consultation. 87.4% of participants objected to the Programme, with 12.8% in support.

Of those who supported the scheme the top reasons were that it will make the roads safer (94.0%), that it would change driver behaviour and attitudes for the better (73.7%) and would become an accepted aspect of road safety (67.7%).

Of those who objected to the scheme, the top reasons for objection were that it would increase congestion and journey times (29.0%), it will not decrease air pollution (21.4%) and that it will not make the roads safer (19.9%).

We Did

As part of the legal process for introducing a 20mph speed limit, the findings of the consultation, and the written responses, were reported back to the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee for members to make a decision on how to proceed.

At the meeting of the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee on 03/12/2024 (External link) the Director of Neighbourhood Services was authorised to introduce Phases 3 and 4 of the 20mph speed limit programme on those roads or parts of roads shown on the list on the consultation page.

The Chair of the meeting advised that the overwhelming priority in rolling out 20mph had always been reduction of road danger for all road users. Road users are 5 times less likely to be killed if hit by a car traveling at 20 mph compared with 30mph. Collisions are also less likely to occur in the first place because stopping distances are reduced significantly when speed comes down. Whilst slower speeds may encourage walking, cycling and other activities as well as reducing noise pollution and other environmental impacts, reduction of road danger was the primary reason for 20mph and still is.

The council are also in the process of reviewing earlier phases of the 20mph speed limit programme to ensure they are working effectively and, if they aren’t, we can see what can be done differently.

We Asked

A public consultation was conducted from 25 September 2024 – 23 October 2024 regarding proposed changes to car parking charges.

The council currently charges the public for parking at certain car parks and at on-street locations and these charges are used to help manage traffic, congestion and to help keep people moving so that everyone who needs to, is more likely to have access to a car parking space. The council now have some proposed changes to parking charges that will affect car parking across the borough. The purpose of these changes is to deliver against Wirral’s Parking Strategy, approved by the Environment Climate Emergency and Transport committee in December 2023, and in particular the short-term policy aims. In line with the Parking Strategy and also the council approved Cool 2 Climate Strategy, these proposed changes will help meet the costs of continuing to provide dedicated public car parking in a fair way as well as to address future parking impacts by ensuring that any new parking plans are self-financing.

The proposals include the introduction of charges in on-street parking bays and introduction of a £1 charge to park overnight (between 6.30pm and 8am) at Kings Parade / Coastal Drive, New Brighton (TO/24/40), North Parade / Meols Parade, Hoylake and Meols (TO/24/41) and South Parade, West Kirby (TO/24/42), inflationary increases at on-street parking bays where fees already apply (including on-street parking permits) and introduction of a £1 charge to park overnight (between 6.30pm and 8am) in the Birkenhead Controlled Parking Zone (TO/24/39) ant the introduction of charges at council-owned off-street car parks and Introduction of a £1 charge to park overnight (between 6.30pm and 8am) (TO/24/38) .

You Said

The questionnaire was responded to by 3070 people. 86.3% objected to the introduction of scheme TO/24/40 at Kings Parade / Coastal drive, New Brighton. 86.3% objected to the introduction of scheme TO/24/41 at North Parade / Meols Parade, Hoylake and Meols. 85.9% objected to the introduction of scheme TO/24/42 at South Parade, West Kirby. 74.9% objected to the introduction of scheme TO/24/39 in the Birkenhead Controlled Parking Zone. 93.9% objected to the introduction of scheme TO/24/38 in Other Off-Street Car Parks. 80.6% objected to all schemes.

We Did

At the meeting of the 03/12/2024 - Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee, the proposed changes to Parking Charges were approved.

Link to consultation page.

We Asked

A public consultation was conducted from 8 January to 18 March regarding the Woodside Masterplan. The proposals included: 1,700 homes within the Masterplan redline and approximately 2,560 in total including the areas outside of the redline masterplanned, 2 new hotels, but potential for more, 11,300 sqm of active ground floor uses including workspaces, food and beverages, leisure and health, 2 new multi-storey carparks supporting a centralised parking solution - 1 within the masterplan boundary, opportunity for a major new cultural attraction, enhanced public realm, new external event space and improved cycleways and enhanced connections to public transport and the town centre.

You Said

172 people responded to the consultation. Two thirds (66.7%) of respondents supported the masterplan, 13.5% did not support the masterplan. Railway links were deemed the most important travel method in Woodside, followed by walking infrastructure. Cycling infrastructure was ranked as the least important. The largest perceived benefit of the Woodside masterplan was ‘Contribute to effectively regenerating Birkenhead,’ with 14.4% of responses, followed by ‘Improve the image of the town’, with 14.3% of responses.

We Did

At the meeting of the 04/12/2024 - Economy Regeneration & Housing Committee, the Woodside Masterplan was approved.

Link to consultation page.

We Asked

Prior to the existing PSPO expiring, Wirral Council is proposed a new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) covering large parts of West Kirby and some parts of Hoylake. The areas were selected with the aim of reducing the risk of ASB in those areas, to keep residents and other members of the public safe. We asked the public if they supported or opposed the proposed PSPO and why, as well as their experiences with ASB.

You Said

284 people engaged in the survey with 283 responses coming through the online portal and 1 paper copy. 90.8% of respondents supported the proposed PSPO whilst 6.7% opposed it. 77.7% of respondents stated that they had experienced ASB in the proposed PSPO area in the past 12 months with; 94.5% citing groups of four or more people and 84.0% face coverings (this does not include religious or medical face coverings). Reasons for respondents supporting or opposing the proposed PSPO can be found in the full report.

We Did

The results of the survey were used to inform recommendations compiled by the Wirral Council ASB Team on the implementation of the PSPO. With the support of Merseyside Police, the proposed PSPO for West Kirby has been approved for implementation.

Link to consultation page

We Asked

A public consultation was conducted by Royal Pilgrim Communications on behalf of Ion Property Developments Ltd (Ion) Wirral Council’s Development Manager, in relation to the proposed Hind Street Urban Village. The proposal would see a redevelopment of the former industrial site at Hind Street through the creation of up to 1,600 new homes, accessible public realm including new strategic open space (Dock Branch South) and public squares, a primary school, complementary commercial uses such as offices, shops, cafes and restaurants, healthcare, nursery services, care services and hotel, and a multi-storey car park and mobility hub.

You Said

87 people responded to the survey. When asked if to indicate levels of support for the development, 56% supported the proposals, 26% partially supported the proposals, 11% did not support the proposals and 7% were unsure. Key reasons given to support the plans included the regeneration of an underused, brownfield site into a new, thriving community which is attractive to live in, work in and visit. The removal of the flyovers and connecting back to Birkenhead town centre was also a key comment. Sustainability and a walkable/cyclable community, connecting to public transport was important, as was making better use of and improving access to Birkenhead Central station.

We Did

At the meeting of the Policy and Resources committee 2 October 2024, two reports, one to allow progress with Hind Street Urban Village and a second to start primary works to enable wider housing development in the area, were agreed.

Link to consultation page.

We Asked

We worked with six local schools to pilot a 'School Streets' scheme aiming to help make the school run safer, healthier and happier for children, families and the wider community. We asked for your opinions about whether the School Streets scheme should be made permanent at each of the pilot schools.

You Said

126 people engaged in the survey, and across the schools most participants supported the scheme (75.4%) and would like to see the scheme made permanent (77.%).

We Did

The ideas and comments shared help the council to decide whether the scheme was working for the school and the local community and would achieve the goals to make the school run safer, healthier and happier. Based on the results the School Street is a permanent feature at the following schools:

• Greenleas Primary School, Wallasey
• Liscard Primary School, Liscard
• Christ Church CE School, Birkenhead
• St Albans Primary School, Wallasey
• St George's Primary School, Wallasey
• Raeburn Primary School, Bromborough

The scheme is delivered through an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) for a trial period of up to 18 months.

A dedicated Active Travel Officer will help introduce and support the School Streets schools through education activities. Road signs have been introduced to show where the School Street zones are and to tell motorists of the hours of operation.

Please visit the School Streets Hub to find out more including details of individual schools and FAQs.