Council moves to scrap 1930s bye-laws

The bye-laws - dating from 1935 - relate to Wirral’s North Wirral Coastal Route and have been found either outdated, not fit for purpose or covered by other, newer legislation or orders. 

They include bans on playing noisy musical instruments, beating carpets and encouraging dogs to bark.

The bye-laws were introduced in 1935 on the grounds of public nuisance on the 8.0km concrete promenade from Meols to Wallasey.

To implement the expected final decision, Wirral has undertaken the legal consultation process for repealing the bye-laws but needs consent from a meeting of the full council for changes to take effect.

Under council plans, a Public Path Creation Order needs to be created to make the route a public bridleway.

The council said this had become a popular route for many modes of travel but the bye-laws technically prohibited cycling, scooting or horse riding. 

It said this had never recently been enforced but the bye-laws created “other legal issues”, including the council’s ability to put up advice and signage for users.

Wirral said designating the route a public bridleway would formalise that there is hared access for walkers, wheelers, cyclists and horse riders.

Mark Smulian