Existing Swan Path blocked as Sefton plans new Promenade cycle route
Sefton is intending to spend £14M on a cycle path down the middle of the Promenade to embellish the new Conference Centre. However, there is already a cycle path, called by Sefton 'the Swan Path’, that currently runs past the Floral Hall site along the Marine Lake. Ironically it is being blocked off by building contractors working on the new Marine Lake Events Centre.
The Sefton plan to lay out a new cycle track down the middle of the road for a third of the Promenade has cyclists scratching their head and wondering what the future holds for existing more attractive lakeside routes routes which join up with Kings Gardens - nowhere near cars.
“It raises the question,” says Liberal Democrat, John Pugh “ whether this is really a cycling scheme at all and more about the expensive prettification of the road space in front of the Marine Lake Events Centre.”
“It is certainly most unusual as a cycle scheme. There’s almost nothing like it elsewhere in the UK. Cycling bodies do not recommend cycle paths down the middle of a road certainly not with seven crossing points including traffic lights along the short length.
Serious cyclists or cyclists wondering what you do when they reach the end and are stuck in the middle of the road might well choose to avoid it. If they can’t use the lovely Swan Path, they may well choose to stay on the main, narrowed carriageway and shun the central reservation altogether. That will hold up traffic as there will not be enough room on the carriageway for cars to safely pass cyclists.”
“If we add to that the diversion of traffic to and from Ocean Plaza that is a consequences and the increased risk of pedestrian and cycle conflict,” adds Cllr Pugh, “ and you have to wonder what the scheme’s true objective is ?
As a cyclist myself it wouldn’t be the first call on £14M. We will be suggesting a cheaper more orthodox approach which does not mean a wholesale re-modelling of the Promenade or longer journeys for car drivers.
That could leave sufficient funds to deal with those junctions where cycling in Southport is unsafe and risky. That’s what the cycling money is properly for - not to embellish the front of an Events Centre . Let’s listen to the cyclists ! "
