Sefton Council responds to misleading information on Promenade scheme

Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Highways, Cllr Phil Hart, has responded to a report on cycle lanes issued to local journalists last week.

He said:

“Firstly, I’d like to address the misleading claim that the proposed Southport promenade scheme is a £14m cycle lane. It isn’t.

“The proposed scheme will improve and simplify transport infrastructure outside the future MLEC for everyone. It will mean additional crossings and improvements to safety, and accessibility and overall appearance for an area that will see an increase in visitor numbers.

“The promenade scheme is part of the big picture for Southport, with major investment in the town including £106 million for the MLEC, the £20 million restoration of the Pier and £10 million for the Town Hall Gardens. It is just one part of the transformation of the seafront and is key in improving the links from the town centre through to the pier and MLEC and other seafront attractions.

“We’ve already invested £6 million in the Market Quarter, creating an accessible, well connected and high quality public space that people enjoy spending time in. This next stage represents further investment in making the town centre a place for people to enjoy.

“The ward councillor who issued this misleading update has been the recipient of numerous briefings and meetings about our efforts to enhance and improve transport connectivity in Southport and is fully aware of what makes up this wider scheme.

“While they may feel that the promenade is adequate as it is, the area is expected to see significantly higher footfall in the coming years and in its current form, will not be fit for purpose.

“Describing the improvements the promenade scheme will see better accessibility, safety, and capacity, and calling it ‘just a cycle path’ is disingenuous.

“There is indeed a cycle route that already exists nearby and the ward councillor correctly identifies that this is currently blocked due to the construction of the MLEC.

“The councillor is aware from detailed briefings provided, that this route will become available again once the MLEC is complete and that the existing route is not a segregated cycle path but one that goes through an area that can be exceptionally busy.

“The addition of the proposed cycle route adds further connective routes that keeps cyclists separate from both motorists and pedestrians.”

You can read answers to frequently asked questions at:www.sefton.gov.uk/southport-promenade-faqs