An MP said the proposals had caused “consternation” in the town
Sefton Council has backed proposals linked to Les Transformations de Southport , a two-phase project designed to reshape parts of the town centre and improve links to the waterfront.
Phase one of the scheme, which has already been completed, focused on pedestrianisation works around the Market Quarter. Phase two aims to strengthen connections between the town centre and key attractions, including new public spaces, road crossings andchanges.
The wider regeneration plans are being driven by expected increases in visitor numbers following the restoration of Southport Pier and the opening of the new Marine Lake Events Centre, which is expected to attract audiences arriving by car, coach, public transport and on foot.a one-way system on part of Nevill Street, a cycle path in the middle of the promenade to stop cars from cutting through Bath Street and to create a “continuous green corridor”a narrower carriageway of 3.5 metres on the Promenade to make space for pedestrians,a left-turn only system on Marine Parade onto the Promenadeimproved signage to aid wayfinding Council officers say the proposed improvements will make it easier for people to move around the area safely, particularly older residents, young people and disabled users.
They also highlight plans for seating along walkways to improve accessibility for those less able to walk longer distances. The authority also argues the proposed cycle lane would “keep the pavement free from cyclists and reduce conflicts between vehicles pulling in/out or pedestrians stepping into the road”.
However, Southport MP Patrick Hurley has said that he thinks the cycle lane plans need to be reviewed. He told theHe said that in generally he supports the Les Transformations de Southport scheme, but has written to the assistant director of highways about the cycleway. Mr Hurley said: "Whilst acknowledging and encouraging that active travel is clearly an important objective, the expected footfall to this area from visitors to the town is unlikely to be from cyclists.
" Sefton Council says on its website that the Promenade is wide enough to accommodate a cycle lane without compromising space for vehicles or pedestrians, but Mr Hurley said that: "There's a risk the resulting layout is going to be less intuitive for residents and visitors travelling into the town. " A consultation of local people also received negative feedback about the cycle lane, although there positive comments about the plans for more greenery and pedestrian crossings.
Now that the licensing committee has approved the scheme in its current form, council officers will move to the final design phase and advertise Traffic Regulation Orders linked to the work. Traffic Regulation Orders are imposed by local authorities to restrict the use of roads either permanently or temporarily while works are taking place.
If the council receives objections to these orders that cannot be resolved, the scheme will return to the committee for its consideration, but if it does not, it will move to the construction phase. At Monday's committee meeting, chair Cllr John Kelly, queried the fact that MLEC is designed to hold over 1,000 people at one time, but that the car park at the site will only have 142 spaces.
Transport planning manager Andy Dunsmore responded: "That will have been through the planning process and been assessed.
" He added: "What we will do is promote public transport as well for people getting to MLEC. "Lib Dem councillor for Ainsdale Lynne Thompson predicted that the scheme will return to the committee, as she has had several emails from local people raising concerns about the Nevill Street plans.
She added: "I even got an email today from an avid cyclist, who's really in favour of promoting cycling but thinks the scheme in its current form is not going to cut the mustard. So it will come back and I think it should come back.
" Mr Dunsmore responded that: "There are a number of people who express some strong objections, not very many, but there are some. There are some who have been very supportive as well, which is positive.
"He added that the council will be meeting with different stakeholders, including MP Mr Hurley, to discuss their concerns further. Edward Holden, from the council's planning team, said that the majority of responses received from one consultation survey were in opposition to the scheme, although there was broad support for aspects such as the pedestrian crossings.
Mr Dunsmore added: "One of the general issues that we have in consultation is that we often attract the same demographic when we get responses.
" He added that the council is working to engage young people to give their views, as the people who comment are often older. He said that the feedback then presented is "accurate in terms of responses, but whether it is wholly representative is one of our challenges".
Lydiate and Maghull Community Independent councillor David Leatherbarrow asked why the number of pay-and-display places along the Promenade is set to drop from 21 to four, and Mr Dunsmore replied that it was to be able to use the road carriageway in a different way. He added: "It's very difficult to accommodate additional coach parking to meet the demands from the MLEC and keep the same number of pay-and-display spaces in that particular part.
" Reform councillor for Norwood Thomas Swaney raised concerns about the consultation process, saying: "From what I've heard and seen, people are far more unhappy about the cycle lane than what the survey lets on. "I believe that if we keep pushing things like this through, we're going to just keep disenfranchising voters and residents, going to keep pushing them away from.
We're going to, you know, they're going to keep responding less and less because they feel like their responses mean nothing.
"councillor for Netherton North Carla Thomas said that she thinks the cycle lane design will not only benefit people on bikes but also people with disabilities on scooters. "The cycle lane isn't just a one-size-fits-all approach; it's also to be inclusive," she said.
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