Welcome to “Sunday Snippets” a weekly feature from birkenhead.news. It is a round-up of important local news stories from the last seven days. Click or tap on each story to read the full article.
World of arts and politics pay tribute to Glenda Jackson
Tributes have poured in following the death of Birkenhead-born actor and former Labour MP, Glenda Jackson.
Jackson was born on 9 May 1936 at 151 Market Street in Birkenhead. Glenda Farrell, a renowned Hollywood film star, served as the inspiration for her name, chosen by her mother.
Soon after her birth, the family relocated to Hoylake. Living in humble conditions, they resided in a small two-up two-down house at 21 Lake Place, complete with an outdoor toilet. Jackson’s father, Harry, worked as a builder, while her mother, Joan (formerly Pearce), juggled various jobs, including working in a local shop, serving in a pub, and working as a domestic cleaner.
Parking charges back on the table as Wirral Council develops new parking strategy
Parking charges at car parks could be back on the table in Wirral as the council develops a new parking strategy.
The charges were first proposed in October 2020 and faced significant opposition with around 4,000 objections and comments in a consultation done in December 2021.
They were due to be considered at a June 2022 committee but this was delayed after the council received a legal letter over the plans.
Bebington artist to showcase work at World Refugee Day Exhibition
Wirral based graphic artist Kate Pinch is no stranger to having her work displayed in public but says it’s always better when it’s in aid of a good cause.
Her next public exhibition certainly fits that description, as it’s a one-day pop-up event to mark World Refugee Day.
Katie (main image) who’s previously worked on designs for the likes of Radisson Red and Ancestry UK said she’s “delighted to be taking part at the event”, which takes place at Arts Bar Hope Street next week.
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Work on controversial block of flats to begin
Construction is due to begin on a controversial development in West Kirby almost a year after Wirral Council gave it the go-ahead.
The new Links development at 100 and 102 Meols Drive will provide a mix of two- and three-bed apartments with some being more than 3,000 square feet.
The site is opposite the Royal Liverpool Golf Course and demolition of both properties has now begun. Construction is expected to start next month according to developer Blueoak Estates.
Mick Whitley loses Labour selection contest to Alison McGovern
Alison McGovern has been nominated as the Labour candidate for Birkenhead at the next general election.
Ms McGovern, who was previously the MP for Wirral South, stood for Birkenhead after boundary changes meant that her home joined the expanded Birkenhead seat and her current constituency will no longer exist.
This put her on a collision course with current Birkenhead MP Mick Whitley as the number of MPs across the Wirral goes from four to three.
First phase of 20mph speed limits making progress
The first phase of the introduction of 20mph speed limits across Wirral is continuing with roads in the Claughton and Oxton areas starting to see new signage and road markings in targeted areas.
Roads in Lower Heswall, Port Sunlight, and West Kirby have been completed in the first few months of the introduction of the scheme, which brings in slower speed limits in areas that are predominantly residential or stretches of road that pass by shopping areas, schools or near hospitals.
In the first phase, 15 areas of the borough are getting new 20mph signs and accompanying markings on the road to alert drivers to the new speed limit. Over the next four years, the aim is to reduce speed limits across 52 areas of Wirral, subject to available funding and further public consultation.
Modern solar bins for West Kirby
New bins that use solar power to compact the waste are being installed at West Kirby promenade to help manage litter and collection of it.
The enclosed bins are the first of their kind to be installed in Wirral and will use solar power to not only compact the waste but to alert the council when they need to be emptied.
Biffa, the council’s waste contractor, can then prioritise the emptying of the bins based off which ones are full. The solar technology will be switched on in the next few weeks to enable these bins to be fully functional.
Former House of Fraser building to be demolished
A former House of Fraser building in Birkenhead and town centre car park will be demolished to make way for a new market and 84 flats.
Wirral Council has approved a demolition plan on the site to make way for its new £28m market as well as the new apartments. The local authority purchased the land on Grange Road as well as a car park off Argyle Street in December 2020 with both schemes are expected to be delivered by 2025.
This comes as the new market plans went out to public consultation in March with the feedback currently under review. A planning application for the new market will be submitted later this year.
Planning approved for affordable Wallasey homes
Plans to build affordable homes in Wallasey have been allowed despite neighbours being against the idea.
The 13 homes will be built on a grazing field at the bottom of Greenleas Close in Wallasey. Though it has not previously been developed, it is not considered greenbelt land.
An application for 14 homes was previously rejected by councillors for being too close to an existing property but developers said they removed the home in question, created more green space instead and resubmitted the application.
Wirral Police weekly news round-up
This is the birkenhead.news weekly round-up of police activity in and around Wirral during the previous seven days.
What’s On? Guide
Visit our “What’s On?” guide for Wirral and the surrounding areas in the coming weeks.
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