Shouts of 'shame on you' over explosion-hit town revamp

A council meeting descended into shouts of "shame on you" as it chose a cheaper option for regenerating part of a town centre which was destroyed in an explosion.

Bebington Road in New Ferry, Wirral, was the scene of a major gas blast in 2017, when businessman Pascal Blasio blew up his shop in an insurance fraud.

On Wednesday, councillors at Wallasey town hall had a choice of three options for work to improve the street, which has struggled to recover since many of its buildings were destroyed.

The committee chose to back the second option, using cheaper materials, with one member arguing the council had to take "fiscal responsibility".

A public consultation had shown overwhelming support for the first option, which included bespoke, premium materials, the committee heard.

The chosen option - part of an overall £5.2m upgrade - will use cheaper, coloured tarmac.

Resident Christopher Lee Power told the committee: "To me, choosing one of the cutback options is like commissioning a beautiful piece of art, then deciding halfway through to finish it with the cheapest materials available.

"The shape may still be there, but the quality, the beauty and the impact are lost. We are passing the cost on to future generations."

Mark Anthony Craig, the chair of the New Ferry Residents' Association, said: "The community has spoken.

"It's New Ferry's turn to have the high quality scheme."

Following public question time, residents had to be repeatedly asked to be quiet as shouts of "shame" and "we've waited too long for some painted tarmac" came from the back of the room.

Green Party councillor Jo Bird backed the more expensive option, saying it would be the "last piece of the jigsaw" for the town's regeneration efforts.

But Labour's Ann Ainsworth raised concerns for local businesses that may struggle during the longer period it would take to complete the first option.

She added: "We do have to be mindful as councillors that every pound we spend is appropriate.

"We have to take fiscal responsibility."

As the group of New Ferry locals left the chamber, shouts of "shame on you" and "why even have a consultation?" could be heard.

The scheme will also include new trees being planted along the street, with new benches and bins also included in the plans.

New cycle parking stations will be placed along the enhanced pedestrian zone.

Blasio was found guilty in 2019 for the "almost apocalyptic" explosion that tore through the town after he caused a gas leak in his struggling furniture store.

He was jailed for 20 years for fraud and recklessly endangering life, and died in prison in March.

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