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Councillors in Wirral have deferred a decision over the introduction of parking charges at sites that are currently free.
Across the borough, it would have meant standardised operational times and terms and conditions of use at 49 of the council’s off-street car parks.
But members of the cash-strapped local authority's environment and transport committee have referred a decision to a finance committee, following intense lobbying by campaigners and opposition councillors.
Deputy Council Leader, Cllr Julie McManus commented that it would be "tone deaf" to ignore the disquiet over the proposal.
Under the plan, local sites at Charles Road and off Market Street in Hoylake and at Thurstaston Common would have become chargeable at £1.20 per hour, or £1 overnight.
Following criticism of plans to charge at the park and ride site on Carr Lane in Hoylake, it was proposed the council instead enter a lease arrangement with Merseytravel.
A report prepared by council officers argued that "applying standardised charging at car parking places...would allow the Council to meet the costs of provision, maintenance, improvement and management of the parking places and continue to offer public car parks into the future in a fair and equitable manner ensuring that any new parking plans are self-financing".
Hoylake and Meols councillors Max Booth, Andrew Gardner and Tony Cox have welcomed the news, posting on social media: "This is a massive milestone in the fight – but the battle isn’t over yet!
"Huge thank you to every single person who signed our petition and backed the campaign. Your support made this happen."
The proposal will now be considered at a future meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee.
The committee did agree a plan to phase out parking ticket machines in favour of payment by app or phone, in order to save money on maintenance and replacements.
