MP Damien Moore has criticised the ‘ridiculous’ plans to restrict traffic in Southport town centre this Summer.

Sefton Council, Liverpool City Region and MetroActive are working together to create pop-up cycle lanes, remove pay and display parking spaces and prevent through traffic in order to make Southport easier to navigate for cyclists and walkers.

But Southport’s MP has warned the plans could have a detrimental impact on Southport’s businesses.

Damien Moore said: “There has not been any consultation about this. This has not been properly thought out.

“We don’t know how it is going to affect travel into Southport town centre, people just have not been asked for their views.

“Where is the business case that this would even work? Where is the business case over how much this would impact businesses in Southport town centre?

“I would much rather see money spent on other routes which will make cycling and walking easier while also helping to grow trade, not damage it.”

Mr Moore is concerned that with planned traffic restrictions on routes such as Queens Road and Talbot Street, some local residents and visitors may be put off venturing into town at a time when shops, restaurants and other ventures are trying hard to win back trade.

He said: “The priority has to be for people to be able to get in and out of Southport town centre and park once they get there as easily as possible.

“I think these plans are absolutely ridiculous.“What we need to be doing in Southport town centre is to see people come back into our town, fill their cars up with whatever goods they buy from our local shops and head back home happily.

”The new north / south cycling friendly route in Southport town centre will involve the following roads:

Chapel Street, Tulketh Street and Wesley Street – Cyclists to be allowed under a new ‘Share with Care Space’.

Queens Road – through traffic will be restricted.

Hoghton Street – Segregated cycle lanes on both sides of the street, which will remove parking along both sides.

Talbot Street – (Eastbank Street to Portland Street) –’Quiet Street’, on street pay and display removed. A quiet street is one where people will not be able to use the road as a through route by car.

Talbot Street / Eastbank Street junction – Temporary traffic management trial to prohibit the exit from Talbot street onto Eastbank Street.

Talbot Street – (Portland Street to Duke Street) – Quiet Street with on street parking possibly to be made limited waiting for a period during the day.

Talbot Street – (Duke Street to Belmont Street) – Quiet street with on street parking possibly to be made limited waiting to discourage all day parking.

Damien Moore has already campaigned for Sefton Council to provide temporary free parking in Southport to help traders recover from the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Sefton Council suspended car parking charges in March at all of its car parks and on-street parking spaces as the outbreak struck the UK. But the local authority brought back parking charges on Monday, May 18.

Mr Moore said: “Temporary free parking, even free parking up to two hours, would give a huge boost to our local businesses. “What we all want to see is a thriving, busy Southport town centre.

“Those are the types of measures we want to see in Southport, which will help shoppers, and help businesses.

“This new project in Southport is also calling for the removal of dozens of parking places along Hoghton Street and Talbot Street.

“It is not acceptable in an already challenged area for traffic that the ability for shoppers to park their cars is made even more difficult.

“There has been no thought for the traders, for local businesses or for jobs in Southport being considered as part of this scheme.

“I support the idea of seeing more people cycling. During this pandemic, millions of people have discovered cycling - whether for exercise or as a means of safe, socially-distanced transport.

“I hope it is a trend that continues. But these schemes have to be put in the right places, they have to be done through asking local people what they think, and they have to ensure that they don’t do anything to damage local businesses.

“This has been done with no consultation. It is a typical policy that has been imposed on people in Southport without any due process.”

The proposed cycle lanes are completely unnecessary - anyone who can ride a bike is easily capable of negotiating those roads. Far better is to improve more rural access such as a bridge cycle lane over the River Ribble at a point just in from the mouth of the Ribble, and also from the Southport to Crosby cycle lane junction. Obviously - an even better idea is to spend the money on far more important issues, but I understand that this money is allocated by central government specifically for cycle lanes.

Best if we can campaign for a unitary authority to be able to get the worthwhile changes that Southport desperately needs. With so many people coming to Southport over the recent months - the town deserves to be made more attractive.

This may be a first, but I think our MP is talking sense.

Originally Posted by r4dent

This may be a first, but I think our MP is talking sense.

I agree, for once, Moore has got it right.

Must admit I agree with a Tory politician in this instance.

The pop-up cycle lanes are a central government idea funded by central government.
The transport secretary said he wanted them up and running urgently so if there's anything been rushed through then perhaps Mr Moore ought to take it up with Mr Shapps or whatever he's calling himself this week?

Originally Posted by silver fox

Must admit I agree with a Tory politician in this instance.

Our MP's bailiwick is the Palace of Westminster. That he (and he's not alone among MPs) spends his efforts criticizing Council initiatives while Councils are bound by strictures and guidance from Westminster demonstrates that our system of government is out of kilter.

If Damien Moore wants to be constructive, he'll agitate for Councils to be adequately funded without reliance on the whims of Ministers.
[Pigs will fly (or cycle) around London SW1A 0AA, before that happens!]

Originally Posted by said

The proposed cycle lanes are completely unnecessary - anyone who can ride a bike is easily capable of negotiating those roads. Far better is to improve more rural access such as a bridge cycle lane over the River Ribble at a point just in from the mouth of the Ribble, and also from the Southport to Crosby cycle lane junction. Obviously - an even better idea is to spend the money on far more important issues, but I understand that this money is allocated by central government specifically for cycle lanes.

Best if we can campaign for a unitary authority to be able to get the worthwhile changes that Southport desperately needs. With so many people coming to Southport over the recent months - the town deserves to be made more attractive.

1. While I agree in part about cycling ability and negotiation of the roads, the idea is to separate cyclists and pedestrians from traffic, making it easier for all. They’re also there to try and encourage cycling. I’ve no problems cycling along these routes with my 8 year old son, but wouldn’t dream of going on the roads with him.

2. A cycle bridge would cost millions It’ll never happen and where do you propose it should go to?

3. The cycle you’re between Crosby and Southport was fine until Network Rail closed the route to Fisherman’s Path. Which junction are you thinking of?

4. You suggest that the town needs things to attract people, I agree, surely this has the potential to attract cyclists (and by cyclists, I’m not just talking about the cycle club Sunday ride outs, but families as well).

Looks like the PNP is enjoying this article way too much,as he has liked some of the other comments,but as yet he has NOT posted his reply to anything ? Obviously he must have his hands full doing something else,other than typing away on his keyboard......Unless his reply is that long he is still typing his responses ?

I had understood that encouraging walking and cycling was a Tory government policy, and they are dishing out money to local authories for this. On yer bike Dumbian.

Cyclings great and good exercise but its a net drain on our towns depleted coffers.

There is no chance of recovering what we have already spent on the coast road cycle path in the next decade from them.

Come winter it will be mostly empty all though I might tog up and brave it for the experience.

By all means encourage people to cycle or walk but not at the expense of those who fill the tills from outside the town.

Originally Posted by local

Cyclings great and good exercise but its a net drain on our towns depleted coffers.

There is no chance of recovering what we have already spent on the coast road cycle path in the next decade from them.

Come winter it will be mostly empty all though I might tog up and brave it for the experience.

By all means encourage people to cycle or walk but not at the expense of those who fill the tills from outside the town.

Since when has all public expenditure needed to recover it's costs?

Hi

Originally Posted by said

The proposed cycle lanes are completely unnecessary - anyone who can ride a bike is easily capable of negotiating those roads. Far better is to improve more rural access such as a bridge cycle lane over the River Ribble at a point just in from the mouth of the Ribble, and also from the Southport to Crosby cycle lane junction. Obviously - an even better idea is to spend the money on far more important issues, but I understand that this money is allocated by central government specifically for cycle lanes.

Best if we can campaign for a unitary authority to be able to get the worthwhile changes that Southport desperately needs. With so many people coming to Southport over the recent months - the town deserves to be made more attractive.

Now come on let’s be fair, these imbeciles who profess to be working for Southport have got to show they know what there doing. Heaven help us. Inmates from the asylum couldn’t come up with a plan like this. Will we be seeing cycle lanes in Boot Hill doubt it.

Originally Posted by Nash

I had understood that encouraging walking and cycling was a Tory government policy, and they are dishing out money to local authories for this. On yer bike Dumbian.

Probably another tory u-turn.

Originally Posted by local

Cyclings great and good exercise but its a net drain on our towns depleted coffers.

There is no chance of recovering what we have already spent on the coast road cycle path in the next decade from them.

Come winter it will be mostly empty all though I might tog up and brave it for the experience.

By all means encourage people to cycle or walk but not at the expense of those who fill the tills from outside the town.

The purpose of improving roads/paths or building new ones is not to create a profit. It’s about providing an improved infrastructure for cyclists and motorists.