Local Councillors,church and business representatives met on site to discuss the problems created by the controversial pop- up cycle tracks that runs from Queens Rd through to Talbot St on the other side of town.

Councillor officers listened to concerns but explained that the government had not allowed them adequate time to consult on the routes before introducing them. However, no substantial change was promised in the short term.

A review of the routes in 6 months though was promised.

Cllr.Pat Keith said, “ This scheme has been introduced without any consultation with local councillors , local residents or businesses and it’s scarcely surprising it's throwing up many unanticipated problems. It’s in everybody’s interest to flag them up now.”

John Pugh , Dukes Ward councillor expressed scepticism about the promise to review.

“These hastily planned Boris Bike Tracks that the government have decreed will need to be fairly evaluated.

That means saying now at the start what the main objectives are and how we will measure them. To be fair to everyone the Council should make clear what success and what failure looks like.

That must include looking at business and employment impacts as well as environmental effects.

Churches are worried about parishioners, wedding and funerals, the school about access, the LittleTheatre about patronage and businesses about customers. Much of this can be measured as easily as the number of additional cyclists.”

Vic Foulds owner of the Baytree Hotel , Queens Rd said , “It would be shocking if business and employment impacts were dramatic and the increase in cycling was minimal and that’s why collecting the data is important."

Its interesting that for some the illogical placement of these bike lanes without consultation is the fault of the government and not the dullards from the council that sited them.

How long does it take to write and send an e-mail for Sefton Council one wonders ?

Were thinking of doing X what do you think .

Originally Posted by local

Its interesting that for some the illogical placement of these bike lanes without consultation is the fault of the government and not the dullards from the council that sited them.

How long does it take to write and send an e-mail for Sefton Council one wonders ?

Were thinking of doing X what do you think .

I think if you send an email to Sefton Council it will be ignored, hence you would be wasting your time.

Please note that all plans are subject to review and change

We appreciate that travel using public transport is difficult with social distancing restrictions and we hope to encourage walking and cycling as an alternative to car use by providing access routes to Southport town centre to link with other routes. We appreciate this is particularly important in that there are 17,660, 12 to 17-year olds living in Sefton and 28.5% (or 33,592) of households in Sefton do not have access to a car or van (2011). These measures will be monitored and adjusted if appropriate
Please tell us your views once the routes have gone in and we have finished our work on them. We may make changes to the way the route has been created based on what you tell us.
All comments can be emailed to transport.planning@sefton.gov.uk

Help Sefton build Liveable Streets for a Borough on the move

Sefton Council wants your views on upgrading and developing cycling and walking provision in the borough following the COVID-19 pandemic. The local authority aims to increase support and facilities for people to walk and cycle across Sefton, which allow for social distancing and provide direct safe routes to key locations, and ultimately improve the air quality in the borough.
Sefton Council want residents, cyclists, commuters and visitors to the borough to give their views to the comprehensive ‘Sefton Liveable Streets’ consultation, which runs until October 31st, 2020.
Those commenting on the consultation can give their in depth views on the area by answering a range of detailed questions.

It is never very surprising that changes give rise to objections. Naturally enough, these Emergency Active Travel Routes have unsettled in particular residents and business proprietors along the route. Having said that, let's not forget that these measures are in response to the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic restrictions. There is dislocation and distress all around!

Originally Posted by Anon

I think if you send an email to Sefton Council it will be ignored, hence you would be wasting your time.

So what are you going to do? Complaining on here definitely won’t make a difference to the Council!

(As you may recall from our previous conversations I’m for the cycling side, however, I have emailed the Council as I don’t agree with the levels of restrictions on Hoghton Street as I’m also a motorist and have several friends with businesses there, so I have a foot in both camps!)

What on earth has this got to do with Boris bikes (a scheme in London 10 years ago to provide cheap/free short distance bike loans) ??

Originally Posted by millsey

What on earth has this got to do with Boris bikes (a scheme in London 10 years ago to provide cheap/free short distance bike loans) ??

Nothing at all, the header says Boris bike ROUTES.

Originally Posted by local

Its interesting that for some the illogical placement of these bike lanes without consultation is the fault of the government and not the dullards from the council that sited them.

What's illogical? This route leads straight into town from both the North and the South of Southport, both being large catchment areas.....It's a vital improvement for commuters wanting to get safely to Chapel St station, without being knocked-off. Not to mention all the other reasons people need to go into the town centre for - and without the hassle/cost of parking a car!

Originally Posted by The PNP

What's illogical? This route leads straight into town from both the North and the South of Southport, both being large catchment areas.....It's a vital improvement for commuters wanting to get safely to Chapel St station, without being knocked-off. Not to mention all the other reasons people need to go into the town centre for - and without the hassle/cost of parking a car!

Well given Southport's geography, East isn't a large catchment area and West certainly isn't!!!

How can it be a vital improvement if very few people use bikes to get to Chapel Street station? And a few new cycle lanes isn't going to change that.

Originally Posted by Sap33

So what are you going to do? Complaining on here definitely won’t make a difference to the Council!

(As you may recall from our previous conversations I’m for the cycling side, however, I have emailed the Council as I don’t agree with the levels of restrictions on Hoghton Street as I’m also a motorist and have several friends with businesses there, so I have a foot in both camps!)

Yes you have a good point about complaining on here :-).

Like you, I'm not against cycling, indeed I used to do quite a bit of it until my arthritic hip didn't allow me to continue.

I also know someone who has a business on Hoghton Street and I'll be asking him what he thinks of the situation.

It's good to see a balanced view of the situation, which makes a pleasant change on here.

Glad we agree about the whole thing.

Originally Posted by Anon

A) Well given Southport's geography, East isn't a large catchment area and West certainly isn't!!!

B) How can it be a vital improvement if very few people use bikes to get to Chapel Street station? And a few new cycle lanes isn't going to change that.

A) Precisely, which is why creating the nucleus of a North-South route makes perfect sense. Having said that, there are more than a few who live to the East right out to Kew.

B) Check out the secure bike stalling at the side of Chapel St station - you will be surprised how many use it. Assuming the anti-cycling brigade don't manage to get it torn up first, usage of this vital new route will undoubtedly increase as it becomes established.

Little to do with goverment.
Liverpool is Labour and employed by the government. Local councils decide their cycle routes and make a balls of it then blames the government.

If they want to know what people think they should just look on here, it’s no good writing to those folk standing close together without a mask between them they might not be in to receive your letter.