Ed Barnes
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Ed Barnes
@edbarnesjourno.bsky.social
Local Democracy Reporter for Wirral at the Liverpool Echo reporting for LDRS partners including BBC Merseyside, Wirral Globe, and Birkenhead News | News Journalism MA at Cardiff Uni. 🏳️‍🌈 #CardiffTrained
Reposted by Ed Barnes
BREAKING: Paul Doyle trial live as LFC parade accused appears in court www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Paul Doyle trial live as LFC parade accused appears in court
More than 100 pedestrians, aged between six months and 78, were injured when a car collided with fans in Liverpool city centre
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 10:54 AM
A married couple have been accused of letting their dogs “go berserk” by neighbours who said the situation has become “horrible." Stephen and Layla McGuigan deny they breached a noise abatement notice and suggested it may have been other dogs in the area
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Couple deny dogs 'going berserk' claim as they are taken to court
The couple have been taken to court by Wirral Council
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 9:31 AM
A “toxic” and “broken” system from the top down ignored red flags and led to major failures that have now trashed a Merseyside council’s reputation, a critical review finds
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
'Toxic' and 'broken' system found at 'failing' Merseyside council
The council's plans were described as being like 'spaghetti' while councillors were told they needed a reality check though current leadership was praised
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 7:25 PM
This week could be a crossroads for Wirral Council as a critical review of regeneration projects is expected to be published. Here's some analysis from me about the key challenges that lie ahead as the local authority looks to move on
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
With £150m in the bank, the big test for Wirral is what is next
With a major review being published this week, reporter Ed Barnes looks at what comes next
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 10:47 AM
A Merseyside council faces an estimated £20m black hole in its budget next year and could be forced to request another government. Despite the challenges, Leader Cllr Paula Basnett said she was working with all parties to fix Wirral Council's finances
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 10:33 AM
I can now reveal the Pyramids has lost millions of pounds in value since Wirral Council bought it
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Shopping centre was bought to revive town, now it's lost millions
Wirral Council bought the shopping centres in 2023 for £10.5m
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 4:37 PM
People are being told not to turn up to a popular Bonfire Night event in Merseyside after the bonfire was built too big
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Just MINUTES before it starts, people told 'DO NOT' go to Bonfire event
People have been told not to attent tonight's event
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 6:30 PM
A dad with a newborn baby fears he may end up on the streets after receiving a “scary” warning from his landlord. Jon Finch feels he has put his head on the chopping block after volunteering to organise a community bonfire
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
'All I wanted was a bonfire; now I could end up on the street'
Jon Finch said he felt like he had let his community down after receiving a warning letter from his social landlord
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 5:57 PM
A council that bought two shopping centres in Birkenhead for £10.5m has been ordered to reveal how much they are worth following an appeal by @liverpoolecho.co.uk
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Council told to show shopping centre worth after ECHO appeal
Leading councillors previously claimed the £10.5m shopping centre purchase was a success story
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Questions being asked about what happened before park set on fire
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Questions being asked about what happened before park set on fire
Wirral Council's deputy leader Cllr Julie McManus said the community 'has tried to do everything right'.
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
October 23, 2025 at 8:44 PM
There's been a lot of anger over this but the Upton British Legion Branch told me they understood Wirral Council's position and urged people to go to events in Hamilton Square and across Wirral

However the decision has also been criticised by Reform
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Reason village Remembrance service cancelled amid Facebook anger
People have reacted to the news with anger but the event's organisers said they understood the council's position
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
October 22, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Two fires set alight weeks before Bonfire Night after ‘misunderstanding’
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Fires set alight before Bonfire Night after ‘misunderstanding’
The ECHO understands organisers were told their bonfires were too big
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
October 22, 2025 at 10:08 PM
People have said they feel trapped on a Merseyside estate due to a “dangerous” parking problem that is only getting worse

www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
People 'trapped' in estate due to dangerous problem
There were calls for action before a tragedy occurs
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
October 20, 2025 at 10:20 PM
A public space protection order has been in place on the Woodchurch for nearly three years
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Man told police 'I will do what I want' and he's paying the price
A public space protection order has been in place on the Woodchurch for nearly three years
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
September 19, 2025 at 8:49 AM
One councillor said they were there to listen to what the public had to say
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Wirral make decision over 14 libraries with 'never again' promise
One councillor said they were there to listen to what the public had to say
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
September 18, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Attempts to take national flags down in one area of Merseyside have been defended by a local politician who said they had left people “feeling targeted, confused and scared.”
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Councillor asked for flags to go 'that left people scared'
The councillor has been criticised by the Conservatives and Reform
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
September 16, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Reposted by Ed Barnes
BREAKING: The landmark legislation will hold public officials and authorities accountable for their actions www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
A Hillsborough Law will finally be laid before Parliament
After decades of campaigning and years of negotiations, a "seismic" change in the law is now happening in a huge and historic tribute to the 97
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
September 15, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Reposted by Ed Barnes
BREAKING: A Hillsborough Law will be laid before Parliament on Tuesday after decades of tireless campaigning by the families of the 97 Liverpool fans who died at the 1989 stadium disaster

A huge and historic moment
A Hillsborough Law will finally be laid before Parliament
After decades of campaigning and years of negotiations, a "seismic" change in the law is now happening in a huge and historic tribute to the 97
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
September 15, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Reposted by Ed Barnes
Tomorrow's Liverpool ECHO front page, on a day which will finally see a Hillsborough Law laid before Parliament
September 15, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Plans to build more than 1,600 homes just outside a town centre have taken another step forward as a firm looks to move
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Plans for 1,600 homes near town centre to move ahead
The project will change a massive part of Birkenhead
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
August 4, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Three more arrests after protests outside hotel
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Three more arrests after protests outside hotel
All three arrests were on suspicion of public order offences
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
August 4, 2025 at 12:03 PM
'Shouting and fighting in street' outside club as child 'scared during the night'
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
'Shouting and fighting in street' outside club as child 'scared'
Questions were raised by Merseyside Police over the venue's trackies ban
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
July 24, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Plans for nearly 50 flats where library once stood
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Plans for nearly 50 flats where library once stood
The sale in 2023 was controversial but changes could soon happen on the site
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
July 21, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Reposted by Ed Barnes
July 15, 2025 at 2:05 PM