Councillor Jo Bird moved and Councillor Amanda Onwuemene seconded a motion submitted in accordance with Standing Order 13.

In moving the motion Councillor Jo Bird confirmed that she was happy to accept the Labour Group amendment, which was moved by Councillor Steve Foulkes and seconded by Councillor Sue Percy as follows:

Insert at end:

‘Furthermore Council supports the Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram in his Campaign to establish a “London Style Public Transport System “ across the Liverpool City Region.

Additionally, Council notes that there is a review meeting with Mersey Rail already arranged for the 8^th December and Wirral Council calls for the outcome of that meeting to notified to Council straight away.

Council calls on Councillors on the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Transport Committee to continue to work together to ensure the best possible level of service for all Wirral Rail users and regrets the operational issues currently being experienced on the Chester Line.

Council notes that at the last meeting of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Transport Committee, public assurances were given to review the current situation in light of public comments and submissions from Ward Councillors and we should all work together to bring about improvements as soon as possible.’

Having applied the guillotine in accordance with Standing Order 9.1, the Council did not debate this matter, and it was –

Resolved (unanimously) (1 abstention) – That

In August 2022, Merseyrail took the unilateral decision to slash train services to Bromborough Rake and Green Lane stations from six per hour to two per hour. This decision was made without public consultation or any known disability or social impact assessment. Bromborough is the only accessible train station between Bebington and Hooton. Green Lane serves that part of Wirral with the lowest levels of car ownership.

Merseyrail, owned by Serco and Abellio, justify their decision by a 10% improvement in reliability for the remaining stations between Hamilton Square and Chester. The company could use the same rationale to reduce services to other stations as well. Trains to and from Chester often wait for many minutes at Birkenhead Central station instead of picking up passengers at Green Lane and Bromborough Rake.

To date, over 500 people have signed a petition to restore the service. Merseyrail has so far dismissed their concerns. 

Merseyrail says services will be restored when new trains, first commissioned in 2016, are in use across the network. The new trains are already many years late and there is no date for their roll out on the Wirral line.  

In support of the Council’s Wirral Plan, Local Plan, and net zero carbon targets, Wirral Council resolves to:

1. Work towards a clean, reliable, frequent, affordable train service to be proud of.

2. Publicly oppose Merseyrail’s reduction in train services on the Wirral Line and calls on Merseyrail to fully restore train services immediately.

3. Urge the Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor and Transport Committee to publicly oppose these and any future reductions in train services on the Wirral.

Furthermore Council supports the Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram in his Campaign to establish a “London Style Public Transport System “ across the Liverpool City Region.

Additionally, Council notes that there is a review meeting with Mersey Rail already arranged for the 8^th December and Wirral Council calls for the outcome of that meeting to notified to Council straight away.

Council calls on Councillors on the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Transport Committee to continue to work together to ensure the best possible level of service for all Wirral Rail users and regrets the operational issues currently being experienced on the Chester Line.

Council notes that at the last meeting of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Transport Committee, public assurances were given to review the current situation in light of public comments and submissions from Ward Councillors and we should all work together to bring about improvements as soon as possible.