Consultation with the people most affected is unnecessary, according to Sefton Council.

Answering a formal question from Southport Lib Dem councillor Pat Keith this week, John Fairclough, the Bootle Labour boss who controls Southport's streets, cited Conservative government advice to justify giving people only "an ‘opportunity to comment’" instead of proper consultation.

Councillor Keith says that she has been " . . . inundated with questions from affected businesses
and some residents, all of which have either not been contacted by the council, or
have had no response to their concerns nor their question."

It seems that, in notfying selected residents only, ignoring directly-affected businesses, Sefton Council is adapting Boris Johnson's famous statement "bugger business" comments. (actually 'f*** business' but that is very rude!) .

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-44618154

As the Council prepares to spend more money on similar cycle schemes, again without consultation, Councillor Keith asked our town's rulers to explain the basis on which the success of the first tranche of cycle measures will be evaluated. Apparently, she was told, proposals to monitor the schemes have yet to be worked up and when they are, this will be implemented by paid officers of Sefton Council without seeking any input at all from Southport's local democratically-elected councillors.

Sefton Council seem to have a dictionary that is missing the word "consultation" that they use when it suits them.

After the recent refurbishment of the Coastal Road they reinstated the wooden posts whose sole purpose is to prevent parking (despite white lines that make parking an offence.

These posts are very dangerous to Motor Cyclists.

Still "Better a dead biker than illegal parking"!

Originally Posted by roving-eye

Consultation with the people most affected is unnecessary, according to Sefton Council.

'The people most affected' are the future users these lanes are specifically targeted at - cyclists.

It makes no more sense to ask motorists and non-cyclists, what they think of a cycle-superhighway, than it would to ask cyclists about a new motorway!

Pi**ing myself laughing. From originally saying the whole process of cycling infrastructure was going out for consultation, the Dictatorship at the Federal Republic of Bootle has seen the thousands of people who have objected to the plans, and decided to implement them anyway. You really couldn’t make it up.

Originally Posted by The PNP

..
It makes no more sense to ask motorists and non-cyclists, what they think of a cycle-superhighway, than it would to ask cyclists about a new motorway!

I like your logic!

It means that if they decide to close a cycleway to provide extra parking they don't need to ask cyclists.

It seems that Sefton Council are following the wishes of the current Conservative Government's policy, using the Boris Book of Consultation.

Perhaps our local MP could make these views known in Parliament, I am sure he would more that willing to represent those who voted for him.

Originally Posted by r4dent

I like your logic!

It means that if they decide to close a cycleway to provide extra parking they don't need to ask cyclists.

Moot point - as that is never going to happen.

Confirming all along that Bootle councillors don't give a damn about Southport, its businesses or the people. They just want to shut the place down.

Will the last person to leave please turn out the lights! Which won't affect cyclists, as they are quiet happy to cycle around in the dark, no lights, wearing all black!

Originally Posted by r4dent

I like your logic!

It means that if they decide to close a cycleway to provide extra parking they don't need to ask cyclists.

Originally Posted by The PNP

Moot point - as that is never going to happen.

Totally agree the Council is now so much in favour of cyclists' wishes that it doesn't give a xxx what the majority want.

Thanks for reinforcing my point.

Originally Posted by r4dent

Totally agree the Council is now so much in favour of cyclists' wishes that it doesn't give a xxx what the majority want.

Thanks for reinforcing my point.

Duh. 'The majority' voted in the present Govt (the greenest ever), who ordered the pop-up lanes. 'The majority' also voted for the present Sefton Council, who are now installing those pop-up lanes.....Democratic or what?

Fact is, a sizeable number of people would be prepared use a bike, if only their fear of injury/death in traffic was adequately addressed. It's the No.1 reason people give, when you ask, for avoiding bike use.

Lib Dem and Conservative Councillors are entirely focused on point scoring vis-à-vis the Labour controlled Council. Expected. Normal.

Council officers are getting-on with a policy originating with and authorized by central government. Councillors particularly those whose re-election is due (or overdue), have seized on cycle lanes to generate at least a little interest among voters. Impactful policies generate opposition, pretty much always.

Ask yourself: What would Pat Keith be doing, if she were in Cllr. John Fairclough's position?

I expect she'd be on the defensive.

Originally Posted by justbecause

Pi**ing myself laughing. From originally saying the whole process of cycling infrastructure was going out for consultation, the Dictatorship at the Federal Republic of Bootle has seen the thousands of people who have objected to the plans, and decided to implement them anyway. You really couldn’t make it up.

Very apt. However, it would appear that Southport's unwanted Bootle Councillor has acted illegally. A recent case brought before the courts in London, by two taxi companies arguing about the cycle lane obstruction - has been ruled in the taxi company's favour. It would appear, according to the Judge, that if no consultation has been properly conducted - the cycle lanes are illegal.

Can Southport now have councillors from Southport, who know and sympathise with the local area. Not being disrespectful or anything - but Liverpool, also with Bootle councillors, is not really a good example.

Originally Posted by The PNP

Duh. 'The majority' voted in the present Govt (the greenest ever), who ordered the pop-up lanes. 'The majority' also voted for the present Sefton Council, who are now installing those pop-up lanes.....Democratic or what?

Fact is, a sizeable number of people would be prepared use a bike, if only their fear of injury/death in traffic was adequately addressed. It's the No.1 reason people give, when you ask, for avoiding bike use.

So our local council have taken upon themselves to promote good health for Southport people have they? Thank goodness for that, I thought it may have been to do with money being paid to the council.

U.K. Government Boosts Bicycling And Walking With Ambitious £2 Billion Post-Pandemic Plan (Forbes)

This obviously highlights the state of our "democracy" in 2021. And also raises the question - What is the point of being a councillor in Southport?

Originally Posted by The PNP

Duh. 'The majority' voted in the present Govt (the greenest ever), who ordered the pop-up lanes. 'The majority' also voted for the present Sefton Council, who are now installing those pop-up lanes.....Democratic or what?

Fact is, a sizeable number of people would be prepared use a bike, if only their fear of injury/death in traffic was adequately addressed. It's the No.1 reason people give, when you ask, for avoiding bike use.

The majority did indeed vote for this government, but if you recall it was about getting Brexit done. At the time there was hardly anything about the looming pandemic. The reason people got on their bikes was to get around the lockdown restrictions as a legitimate form of exercise. This was then taken up by the government to create "pop-up" cycle lanes. Without the pandemic, there wouldn't be the cycle lanes.

Show me your statistics for a sizeable number. What is needed is education about the use of the road. Anyone, young or old can go out and buy a bike. Even buy an old almost unroadworthy bike. The person can then ride it out on the road in traffic, not knowing the highway code, riding into oncoming traffic, on the pavement - anywhere. This causes danger to other road users, especially drivers, who if they hit the cyclist usually get the blame even if it was the cyclist's fault.

You can't go out and drive a car without first getting a licence and passing a test. Why should it be any different for other road users? Why should those who've taken the time and effort to study and pass a test have to give so much away to those who think they should push cars out the way and have the roads to themselves.

Once again, you should have to take a bike test and have a registration plate so you can be traced. Cyclists need to be educated on how to ride in the traffic then they wouldn't be so afraid of it.

Mr PNP, if you push forward with more and more cycle lanes and try to remove motor vehicles there will be no businesses in town for you to visit.

You won't use the cycle-paths that have already been provided for you.

Still - on your shoulders be it. You and your extremely zealous cycling fanatics will be partly responsible for the death of the town centre.

Or is that exactly what you want?