Huge delay casts doubt over future of Port of Liverpool Access Road

THE future of National Highways' Port of Liverpool Access Road, has been thrown into doubt after Transport Secretary, Mark Harper MP, announced that the project is to be pushed back by several years. It has been moved to the next period of Road Investment Strategy projects, collectively known as RIS3, to be developed between 2025 and 2030.

The road project, which was already years behind schedule with construction having originally been due to commence in 2020, has faced huge public and political opposition since the proposed route through Rimrose Valley Country Park was announced, back in 2017.

The official reason given for this latest delay is that the project:- "faces a range of challenges including environmental considerations and ongoing scope and design changes to ensure stakeholders' views are fully considered."

It is also believed that the Department for Transport has had to claw back funds to assist the Treasury in delivering the upcoming budget.

Responding to the latest development, Stuart Bennett of the Save Rimrose Valley Campaign, said:- "We welcome the news that this disastrous road proposal has been pushed back, yet again. However, if the Transport Secretary is serious about considering stakeholders' views and the road's environmental impact, he must surely cancel it completely. There are better, more sustainable ways to cater for the Port of Liverpool's expansion which must be prioritised if we're to truly tackle issues around air quality in our borough and road transport's climate wrecking Co2 emissions. National Highways is paying the price for the 'divide and conquer' approach it took when consulting our communities, offering 2, equally unpalatable road developments. It completely underestimated the level of opposition to its plans. We are calling on everyone in South Sefton to unite in demanding better solutions to port access which protect both our green space AND remove HGVs from our existing road network, improving living conditions along the existing A5036 corridor. Our local and Regional political leaders are supportive of these demands and have been putting pressure on central Government. Now is the time for all of us to work together to make it happen."

Chris Todd, Director of Transport Action Network, who advise road campaigns across the country said:- "It's clear the whole [roads] programme is in turmoil. It's time for a proper roads review as Wales has done. It makes no sense to be throwing good money after bad. All these roads increase carbon emissions, when the Government is already struggling to reduce emissions fast enough. With less than 2 years until an election, a new Government is likely to scrap these dinosaur projects. In any case it's going to need to revisit roads policy in the light of the current failure to decarbonise road transport quickly enough."

Responding to the news, Bootle MP, Peter Dowd, said:- "I welcome any reappraisal or deferral of road schemes which enables a refocus on the need for a multimodal transport strategy that, in general, addresses the challenges of climate change. I also welcome, in particular, the opportunity of a review of the Port of Liverpool Access Road scheme which, in its current format, is not the long term, sustainable solution that out our community and businesses need."

Sefton Central MP, Bill Esterson, added:- "My constituents will be very relieved that the much loved Rimrose Valley has been given a stay of execution. Rimrose Valley is a valuable environmental resource and location for many animals, birds and plants. It is a green lung and a leisure resource. The pause must be used as the opportunity that the local community has been demanding for a rethink. Instead of building a road, the Government should consider alternatives such as rail for access to the port and I hope they do just that."
 

Liverpool 1 bucks UK sales trends

LIVERPOOL 1 has bucked national trends since the start of 2023, with a 16.5% uplift in sales, according to the latest statistics revealed. This year on year rise outperforms the national picture, with an average increase of 5.2% in sales being recorded across the country, according to the latest BRC data figures. The retail and leisure destination has also seen a 6.5% increase in footfall for the year to date, forecasting an even greater increase of around 8% anticipated in the run up to summer as the City prepares for the Eurovision Song Contest, plus seasonal peaks expected at Easter and May Half Term.

Iain Finlayson, Estate Director at Liverpool ONE, said:- "We have seen a good start to the year, with a 16.5% sales increase that we can attribute to the excellent performance of our stores, especially among footwear, sports and leisure and beauty. We have continued to strengthen not only the retail offering, but also brought new additions to our hospitality and leisure options, with cafés in particular outperforming the sales average. Despite being very mindful of the economic landscape and how the cost of living crisis could impact us, we are pleased to see that our strong sales and footfall levels continue during 2023, making Liverpool 1 one of the best performing retail destinations in the UK. We are still in a very challenging period as people become more cautious with their spending and tighten their purse strings that little bit more. But, we are optimistic of the expected boost by Eurovision, as well as remaining confident that the continued strong mix of brands and experiences to suit all budgets which will certainly help continue this positive performance trend. With more brands preparing to open their doors at Liverpool ONE, the future looks bright in uncertain times for the UK."

Liverpool 1 is now on track for 1 of its busiest spring periods as both the destination and the wider City prepares to welcome international visitors for the Eurovision Song Contest, which takes place in May. Retail bosses have also attributed the strong performance so far and the forecasted increases to the number of major brands investing and opening new stores at Liverpool ONE, with recent arrivals including Under Armour, Charlotte Tilbury and Bershka. Iain added:- "During 2022 alone, we saw 20 brands either opening a new store with us or expanding their existing space, and 2023's plans are already shaping up to be another fantastic year in terms of welcoming new names, across both retail and leisure. We're approaching what is an incredibly exciting time for Liverpool City Region, as we prepare to host Eurovision in the Region on behalf of Ukraine. There is already a real buzz across the City as we prepare for what promises to be an amazing couple of weeks, not only for visitors but for those living and working here too. We're thrilled to be a part of the wider plans for Eurovision, and we are very close to finalising our plans which we look forward to announcing details soon. We are looking forward to welcoming lots of new visitors and showcasing what we have to offer on an international stage."

For more information about Liverpool ONE, visit:- Liverpool-One.Com.