Residents have been left distraught after their council told them that they needed to take down their “wonderful” Christmas lights.
Decorations had been put up by Wirral residents at an iconic spot in town, Moreton Cross Roundabout.
The money for the display was raised by Moreton in Bloom, a community group who collected donations from residents who wanted to see their area lit up for the festive period.
However, the lights were ordered to be taken down by Wirral Borough Council, who said they were a “road user risk concern”.
The money for the display was raised by Moreton in Bloom, a community group who collected donations from residents who wanted to see their area lit up for the festive period
The community group was informed that they had 24 hours to remove them, or the council would intervene, and a cost would be charged for the inconvenience.
Moreton in Bloom stated that they immediately responded to the council, asking for further information, but the local authority did not reply.
They were then helped by a local councillor, Angela Davies, who put them in contact with the head of the council, who reiterated the order that the lights had to be taken down.
Wirral Borough Council said the lights needed to be removed as there was a “risk of distraction to road users”.
The council also told the group that some of the barriers around the roundabout had been designed to allow motorists to see onto the pavement more easily, and that the lights would impede.
CHRISTMAS IS CANCELLED:
The tradition of decorating the roundabout had been going on for a few years, however this was the first year that multi-coloured lights were added to the display.
Residents did not ask the council permission to put up the lights, however they claim this is because they have had previous experience in trying to contact the council for other projects, but all to no avail.
Writing on Facebook, the community group said: “We are absolutely devastated. We know just how much the public love these lights and all our lights in Moreton.
"We have instructed a 3rd party to carry out a risk assessment, we are also, under the freedom of information act, asking WBC to share with us their risk assessments and a full written response outlining all concerns.”
Residents flocked to social media to express their sorrow at the fairy lights’ removal.
Residents fixing the display when powerful winds knocked it down days prior
One said: “Moreton in Bloom have done an amazing job in bringing the community spirit back to Moreton and have won numerous awards yet some jobsworths at the council fail to see this and go overboard in making reasons why the lights should come down.
“The lights are actually making The Cross a more welcoming, beautiful, and safer place as traffic can actually see where they are going because of the illuminations...”
Another commented: “This is absolutely the narrow minded and shortsighted none sense that red tape has brought! If people can’t distinguish between a fairy light and an emergency vehicle with flashing lights and a loud siren then they shouldn’t be driving. Red tape and the snowflake society it is encouraging is an absolute disgrace.
“Moreton in Bloom have made the whole of Moreton a community and a place to celebrate at all times of the year. This is absolute madness at its best. I fully support their festivities and efforts all year round. If you’re not safe to be on the road when it’s past 5pm then don’t go out on them.”
A Wirral Council spokesperson said: “Organisers of community Christmas lights are required to obtain permission from the local authority on safety grounds, providing details that any lights and other electricals have been fully PAT (safety) tested, evidence that they have sufficient Public Liability Insurance cover and evidence that any contractor they use to install the lighting has relevant accreditation and appropriate insurance cover.
“Specifically at Moreton, organisers have attached low-level lights to safety rails at the roadside. These ‘visirails’ are especially designed to assist pedestrians and road users’ visibility through this very busy junction and we have no choice but to insist that these unauthorised lights are removed so that visibility can be restored and maintained at all times. That requirement only affects the lights on the railings, not any other parts of the area’s festive display.”