A new flood wall currently being built could "double" emergency response times of the local RNLI, it has been claimed.
Concerns have been raised over a new multi-million pound flood defence wall currently being installed in West Kirby. One local councillor said access to the water from the shores of West Kirby would become much more difficult when the defence is in full operation in times of storm or high water - when RNLI crews could be needed most.
The West Kirby RNLI is due to relocate its services to a temporary location until the Autumn due to the construction works going on. The RNLI said they were working with the council to discuss the operation of their crews after the autumn.
READ MORE: Mourners at wake pepper sprayed and arrested after brawl breaks out
Andrew Gardner, Conservative councillor for Hoylake and Meols, told the ECHO: "The situation is that on most days the RNLI will be able to launch as they always have done. The problem comes when the council wants to close the flood gates and then they won't be able to launch the lifeboat.
"This has been brewing for several weeks, people have been asking me 'are the RNLI okay?' I was basically approached by members of the public with knowledge of the situation, saying that things are still in negotiations, and that for me was the red line.
"As councillors we've got to try get something done because we're spending [millions] on a project and it's coming rapidly down the prom. We can't have a project finished then think about how we might solve this.
"The time to think about solving it is now and I've urged senior council officers to really get on this and get it sorted and do what needs to be done.
"The wall and the money for it were all provided to save lives, so it's an instrument to save lives - the forecast is for 26 [lives saved] over 100 years. However if by preventing an instrument that's there to save lives - ie the lifeboat - from acting in its best way then you're not saving 26 lives are you?"
Cllr Gardner also said the wall could prevent emergency teams from accessing the West Kirby Marine Lake, which the wall runs adjacent to, as lifeboats - even if based at an "alternative launch site" - would "run aground on the lake perimeter wall."
He added: "As one resident put to me yesterday in West Kirby, 'of all the things you can do in West Kirby for £12m, you have to pour 4000 tonnes of concrete all over the prom?'
"The wall is getting built no matter what. I've asked for a pause, and that could just be a pause for thought, but what needs to happen now is that the senior management at Wirral council and the senior management of the RNLI need to get their heads together and come up with a solution before we end up having built something that we're going to have to take down to put in some kind of mechanism.
"Because surely it can't be the case that we'll be doubling RNLI response times in stormy seas and high tides when the wall is shut."
A spokesperson for the RNLI said: "Due to the work being undertaken on West Kirby flood defences, West Kirby RNLI Lifeboat Station is temporarily moving its location. The local council has worked with the RNLI to identify and construct a suitable alternative operating compound that still allows access to the waters of the River Dee.
"West Kirby Lifeboat will soon move to this new location and are likely to operate from there until the Autumn.
"The RNLI is also working with the council to discuss what this will mean for the long-term operation of West Kirby RNLI, once the works are completed."
A spokesperson for Wirral council said: "Wirral council has been in consultation with West Kirby RNLI since 2019 regarding the proposals for the flood wall. The authority remains in contact with the RNLI and continues to work with them to address any operational issues they have as they arise."
The wall has previously been at the centre of controversy as many believed the installation of the 1.2 metre tall, 1.15 metre wide flood defence would "ruin" the "character" of the Wirral town.
A petition against the approval of initial plans to build the wall received well over 1,000 signatures last year, with the council receiving more than 200 written complaints.
Receive our three MyWirral newsletters and breaking news email alerts by signing up here.
READ NEXT:
- Sister of Haydn Griffiths explains what happened in TV interview
- Floral tributes left to 'one in a million' friend found dead on train tracks
- Dad's emotional speech from the dock as he faces years behind bars
- Last message murdered dad sent to pregnant girlfriend before being shot in street
- Last message murdered dad sent to pregnant girlfriend before being shot in street
