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Residents and business owners in New Ferry aren't backing down after their preferred regeneration option was rejected by the council. They are crowdfunding in a new campaign to fight back, according to Birkenhead News.
Members of the council's Environment, Climate Emergency, and Transport Committee voted earlier this month on planned works for the pedestrianised shopping area on Bebington Road. Despite a public consultation showing 83% support for a premium option featuring bespoke paving tiles, councillors chose a cheaper alternative using coloured tarmac.
The decision prompted shouts of 'shame on you' at Wallasey Town Hall at a meeting earlier this month.
Sam Jelenski, owner of Lumi Place Community Shop, has set up a GoFundMe page to finance the campaign. At the time of writing, £430 of an £800 target had been raised to pay for leaflets and a large vinyl banner.
Sam said: "Every campaign needs financial backing to print leaflets or banners."
A report to the committee outlined a £5.5m budget for the project. The most expensive option was costed at £5.7m in January 2025, while the cheapest came in at £4.5m – though the report acknowledged designs had since evolved and true costs could differ.
The premium option backed by locals would have been similar to the tiles installed on Birkenhead's Grange Road, while the approved option resembles paving on West Kirby's promenade.
Council leader Councillor Paula Basnett defended the decision in a video posted online, saying: "We must learn from past mistakes." She said the Grange Road tiles are "not wearing well" just six months after installation, and that the project "went well over budget, was badly delayed, and caused months of disruption for businesses and shoppers alike. I don't want that for New Ferry."
She also pointed to West Kirby as an example of successful public realm work, where surfaces and planters installed nearly three years ago "still look great today".
The council report also warned that higher specification materials could increase future maintenance and replacement costs, putting pressure on already strained revenue budgets.
Local Green campaigner Tony Norbury said: "Businesses and the people of New Ferry deserve the very, very best. They don't deserve having options put in front of them and then taken away."
Business owner Annalisa Allure added: "If we couldn't have that, why put it on the table? I want New Ferry to get what we deserve." She suggested the greater disruption from the costlier option "would be worthwhile if we get what we want".
The public-backed option also included a butterfly trail and information boards about the town's history.
Ward councillor Jo Bird, who voted for the premium option at the committee meeting, said residents "are reeling" from the decision. Councillor Bird added: "We want paving stones, not tarmac, we want to bring back the butterflies, and we want to celebrate our culture and our history."
Traders have even claimed a secret meeting took place on July 14 with Basnett present, who allegedly promised some premium options included in New Ferry's regeneration plan.
