Southport Conservatives Respond to Claims that 'Hundreds of Thousands' of Cycle Trips are Being Made

Southport Conservative councillors and campaigners, have hit back at claims from Sefton Labour that ‘hundreds and thousands of cycle journeys’ have been made on the supposedly temporary cycle lane on Hoghton Street and Chapel Street.

Cabinet member, Cllr John Fairclough, has highlighted data that apparently shows a huge number of such journeys being made along the routes on Hoghton Street and Chapel Street. However, the claims are contested by many in Southport.

Conservative Councillor, Mike Morris who represents Cambridge Ward said, “The data being put forward to support these claims is flawed. It includes pedestrians in the figures not just cyclists, doesn’t take into account the routes people take and doesn’t accurately measure usage on Hoghton Street and Queens Road. It’s nonsense.”

Thomas de Freitas, Meols Ward Conservative candidate, said, “Labour councillors based in Bootle are trying all kinds of methods to try and prove we need these cycle lanes and the proposed extensions. Residents and businesses across Southport don’t want them and it’s time those based in Bootle listened.”

The, primarily, online consultation on the proposed extensions to the scheme closed over 2 months ago but the results have not yet been released. Despite the results not being announced, more work has recently been carried out on Hoghton Street and Queens Road.

Councillor Tony Brough, Conservative Leader on Sefton Council said, “Labour must release the results of the consultation sooner rather than later. The people of Southport expressed their opinion when asked and now we are being made to wait far too long for the outcome. 

What is the point in asking people for their views if you’re not going to listen and share the results. We will continue to push Labour to release the consultation results sooner rather than later and be honest with the people of Southport.”