Liverpool City Region on track for active travel revolution after securing further �16m

MAYOR Steve Rotheram's plans to kickstart an active travel revolution in the Liverpool City Region are on track after securing a further �16m to create a network of safe, easy-to-use walking and cycling routes across the Region.

The funding takes the Mayor's total investment in active travel to nearly �70m, helping deliver new active travel infrastructure and improve connections between existing and planned routes.

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said:- "I want to kickstart an active travel revolution in our area � 1 that offers better connected, safer routes that make it easier for people to choose cleaner ways to travel. We've invested millions to upgrade walking and cycling routes right across our Region, connecting communities to areas and opportunities that may have previously been out of reach. It's a key part of my plan to build a London-style public transport network that is faster, cheaper, cleaner and better connected and, crucially, gives people a quality alternative to the car. The more people we can encourage to walk or cycle, particularly for short journeys, the faster we can start to reduce congestion on our roads, reduce our carbon footprint and improve the quality of the air our children are breathing."

Schemes being backed by the �16m of new funds includes:- a permanent cycle lane on West Derby Road, in Liverpool, improvements to the Crosby Pedestrian Coastal Park, Widnes Town Centre and a route connecting Lea Green and Whiston Hospital. Further funding has also been secured for enhancements on Conway Street in Birkenhead.

The money was secured by Mayor Rotheram and the Combined Authority from the Government's Active Travel Fund, with a bid so persuasive that the Region won nearly 3 times its indicative allowance.

The Mayor has already committed more than �50m to develop active travel infrastructure to deliver his pledge to build a 600km network of walking and cycling routes across the City Region. This latest funding will take the total investment to almost �70m.

Simon O'Brien, Liverpool City Region Walking and Cycling Commissioner, said:- "It is fantastic to see this new funding being unlocked, to really help us push forward with our plans to help create a network of walking and cycling routes that befits our Region. We've got some great active travel infrastructure in the City Region, but we need to make sure it's properly linked up so people feel confident that they can travel easily and safely by bike or on foot; that's what this new funding will help to do. The kind of schemes that will be delivered by this money give us an amazing opportunity to help change the way we think about travelling around our local area."

Schemes being backed by the �16m of new funds include:-

West Derby Road cycle corridor, Liverpool.
Junction improvements on Princes Avenue, Liverpool.
Lea Green to Whiston Hospital, St Helens and Knowsley.
Widnes Town Centre Accessibility, Halton.
Crosby Pedestrian Coastal Park, Sefton.
Pedestrian connectivity in Huyton Town Centre, Knowsley.
Junction and access improvements Tower Hill to Knowsley Business Park.
Pedestrian connectivity in Southport Town Centre, Sefton.
Improvements to A565/ Woodvale Junction, Sefton.
Junction improvements on Croxteth Road, Liverpool.
Junction improvements on Vauxhall Road, Liverpool.
Conway Street, Birkenhead (additional funding secured)

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Leading Liverpool bar and pub group prepares for launch on City's most iconic street

AFTER opening its doors in Harrington Street in July 2022, Scruffy Murphy's Irish/American themed bar has proved to be a huge hit with both locals and visitors from outside of the City Region. A year on, the team behind the venue, Harrison's Bar Group, are preparing to launch Scruffy Murphy's 2 on the City's culturally noted Mathew Street, right in the heart of Liverpool's bustling City centre, and its leisure and entertainment scene.

This new launch will reflect all of the elements of the original Scruffy Murphy's which have made it such a success. With a warm and enveloping welcome, guests can enjoy great value food and an extensive drinks menu. Entertainment comes in the form of Scruffy Murphy's love of live music, which certainly fits in with the Mathew Street vibe.

The musical theme is carried through to the venue's exciting Karaoke and Open Mic nights, which always draw in the crowds. Sports fans will be able to watch major events on the new venue's big 18 live screens, and can take a break playing pool. Events are rostered during each week to attract a wide demographic, working in major current experiences, from football, to boxing to rugby.

Harrison's Bar Group have ensured that Scruffy Murphy's 2 has attracted the same investment as well as the original bar, and alongside its other venues Abbey Road and Dwntwn, meaning that guests can enjoy premium quality sound and visual systems, stylish and comfortable decor, and highly-trained staff who will be well trained to deliver the Scruffy Murphy's welcome. The team have installed a Bose sound system in the new venue which means the very best quality audio experience, which is especially important for live music events.

Nicola Halton Business Development Manager for Harrison's Bar Group explains:- "The success of the 1st Scruffy Murphy's has really exceeded even our high expectations, and so as a team we are absolutely delighted to be opening Scruffy Murphy's 2 in the City's renowned Mathew Street. With the success of the rest of the Harrison's Bar Group which also includes Abbey Road and Dwntwn, Scruffy Murphy's Mathew Street promises to deliver what you would expect from us, with live music, sports, pool tables and a wide range of draught beer and drinks. We're really excited to welcome everyone in a few months' time and to see our brand grow. It has already been a busy season for us across our bar group as the City recently enjoyed half a million people visiting Liverpool for Eurovision 2023, and we know this upcoming summer season will be a hugely busy 1 for us. We have really earned a reputation for delivering great quality and service for our guests across our group, and the new Scruffy Murphy's 2 will be a part of that. We are also delighted to be providing more employment opportunities, too. This new location is very special as it is on possibly the most iconic music-based street on the planet, and we feel honoured to be a part of that legacy."

The original Scruffy Murphy's is based at:- 25 Harrington Street, Liverpool, L29QA.

Opening times:-

Thursday - Sunday: 12pm - 11pm.
Friday - Saturday: 12pm - 3am.