Council give update on vans parked on New Brighton Promenade

Vehicles linked to West Wallasey Van Hire (WWVH) have been seen parked on Kings Parade and Leasowe Road, Wallasey in recent months leading to widespread anger on social media.

In January, the authority said it had agreed "a course of action" with the company, with plans for it to use vacant council land earmarked for regeneration in Wallasey for two years.

Vans that have been parked on New Brighton Promenade (Image: Ian Fairbrother)In an update on the situation, a Wirral Council spokesperson told the Globe today: "The council has agreed a commercial lease for a site in Wallasey with West Wallasey Van Hire.

"The lease was signed this month and the company are undertaking works to clear vegetation, and stoning-up other parts of the site so they can then remove the vehicles parked on New Brighton Promenade.

"The Council has asked West Wallasey to provide dates for the works and removal of the vehicles and a response is awaited."

Vans that have been parked on New Brighton Promenade (Image: Ian Fairbrother)The van hire company, based on Cross Lane, had hoped to expand its operations onto neighbouring land previously used by Mosslands School as its playing fields but this was voted down by councillors concerned about flooding, traffic, and the loss of a large green space.

Different plans for the site were brought forward in 2022 by WWVH but these were later postponed.

Councillors had accused the company of “using high profile locations” and expecting people “to put up with losing car parking at a key location.”

A Wirral Council spokesperson said last month: “Wirral Council and West Wallasey Van Hire have agreed a course of action to ensure that the vehicles they have currently parked up on King’s Parade in New Brighton are able to be relocated to an off-road location as soon as possible.

"While the vehicles were parked legally, the presence of so many commercial vehicles occupying car parking spaces on the public highway is clearly not reasonable or sustainable.

Vans that have been parked on New Brighton Promenade (Image: Ian Fairbrother)“Details are currently being finalised for the company to take a two-year commercial lease of council land in Wallasey which is currently vacant but earmarked for redevelopment.

"As part of this agreement, West Wallasey has agreed not to use the public highway as parking areas for their vehicles as this site – alongside other sites it has use of – should provide the capacity they require."

West Wallasey Van Hire has been approached for comment.