Appeal for witnesses following fatal road traffic collision on Formby Bypass

ON the morning, Tuesday, 15 March 2022, emergency services attended an incident involving a cyclist and a BMW car, at around 11:05am, on the junction of the A565 (Formby Bypass) and North End Lane. Following the road traffic collision, the driver of the car stopped at the scene and has since been assisting Merseyside Police with their enquiries. Sadly a male cyclist, who was in his 70's, was fatally injured during the collision and was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.

As a result of the incident, a large section of the Formby Bypass had to be closed for most of the day, leading to huge traffic congestion as Merseyside Police and Sefton Council did their best to divert traffic through to Maghull in both directs to and from Liverpool.

Serious collision investigator Sergeant Steve Smith said:- "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the gentleman who sadly passed away following the collision. Our enquiries remain on going and we are appealing to anyone who was travelling along the Formby bypass, close to the Junction of North End Lane, who saw the collision, at just after 11am, or captured anything significant on their dashcam to contact us. The Formby Bypass remained closed between Orrell Hill Lane and Liverpool Road, for a period of time, and we would like to thank people for their patience."

Sefton Council added:- "We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of a man following the incident on the Formby Bypass. Our condolences go out to all those involved."

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information is asked to call our Matrix Roads Policing Unit on (0151) 777 5747, email SCIU@Merseyside.Police.UK, or DM us on Twitter quoting reference:- '22000180810.'

The North West receives more than ₤3.4 million investment from Bikeability Trust improve access to cycle training

THE North West will receive ₤3,436,148 to help more children learn to cycle with Bikeability. The funding is part of a record ₤20 million investment for the Bikeability Trust from the Department of Transport. It will be used to deliver cycle training for children and families.

Bikeability has trained more than 3.6 million children since 2007. This funding has the potential to deliver ˝ a million training places for children and their families across the UK, supporting even more people to introduce active travel into their everyday lives. The funding will ensure even more people are equipped with the skills, confidence and knowledge to cycle on our roads.

The Bikeability Trust is continuing to offer bursaries for those wanting to join the industry as an instructor. This will help the Trust achieve its ambition of offering cycle training to every child.

Speaking at the Bikeability conference, active travel minister Trudy Harrison said:- "Cycling helps both our planet and our wellbeing, and learning to cycle is also an important life skill. Our ambition is for every child to be able to access Bikeability training, and I'm delighted we've been able to invest a record ₤20 million to help make this a reality."

Emily Cherry, CEO at the Bikeability Trust, said:- "We have already trained more than 3.6 million children how to cycle confidently and safely. This record investment will help us to achieve our ambition of offering every child cycle training. Bikeability teaches children an essential life skill that benefits their health and helps the make more sustainable travel choices. Getting children cycling when they're young embeds active habits for life, gives them the independence to travel to School and, most importantly, helps them discover how fun cycling is!"

The funding will enable more parents and pupils in the North West to leave the car at home and choose cycling for short, every day journeys.

The investment supports the Government's plans to decarbonise our transport network and Build Back Greener from Covid. The ambition is for ˝ of all journeys in Towns and Cities to be walked or cycled by 2030 and the Department for Transport is allocating an unprecedented ₤2 billion over 5 years to deliver that ambition.

This all comes as the Department for Transport recently launched Active Travel England, the Executive Agency tasked with driving up the quality of cycling and walking routes, led by former Olympic cyclist Chris Boardman. 

Head to the Bikeability website to find a course near you.