Shouts of 'shame on you' at plans for explosion-hit town revamp

Plans to revamp an explosion-hit part of a town centre in Wirral sparked public anger after a council meeting backed a cheaper option. Councillors at Wallasey town hall chose the second route for work on Bebington Road in New Ferry, where a major gas blast occurred in 2017. The blast followed businessman Pascal Blasio’s destruction of his shop in an insurance fraud, and many buildings in the area were later destroyed. A committee member said the council needed “fiscal responsibility,” opting for cheaper, coloured tarmac. The authority said a public consultation showed overwhelming support for a first option involving bespoke, premium materials. The selected plan forms part of an overall £5.2m upgrade.