Does Southport Need More Cycle Lanes and One Way Systems?

DON'T miss your chance to have a say on the proposed changes to Southport Promenade, with the delivery of:- "Les Transformations de Southport."

Sefton Council's new look Promenade concept design includes some major changes to the Promenade between:- Nevill Street and Seabank Road. According to Sefton Council this new proposed design will better connect the Town Centre and the Town's Waterfront, though the use of new public spaces, new traffic flow measures, new road crossings, plus a...

According to Sefton Council, the project will:- "Make it easier to walk, cycle, or take the train when making a journey to the soon to be built Marine Lake Events Centre (MLEC). There will be new spaces for taxis, disabled parking, drop off areas and coach bays. This will help people get to the MLEC by these modes of travel."

Commenting on the proposed design, Sefton Council has said:- "We want to make it easier for everyone to access the new Marine Lake Events Centre (MLEC) and provide a better setting for the new multi million pound MLEC development. The improvement scheme is currently at the concept design stage, which is very early in the design process and people can help us decide what happens next. The development of the proposed design would be funded by the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, which is external funding from the Government. A notable priority for this funding is sustainable transport and economic growth. The Promenade proposal to support the Marine Lake Events Centre will help to achieve the funding expectations."

Unsurprisingly this new project idea is not universally being welcomed with many local businesses. Many businesses we have spoken to in the area have said:- "the investment is welcome, but it needs to be on projects that help the Town, and not ones that create more problems for us all." Others we have spoken to saying that the ideas:- "might look good on paper but in reality they will be extremely bad for the Town Centre." One business owner who did not want to be identified said:- "I do not want to be named as we will just be seen as being obstructive to progress, I do want to say that in my view this is a waste of money. Why do we need yet more cycle lanes? The ones we have are not used and putting them in the centre of the road? What could go wrong with that idea?" Another business, who also didn't wish to be identified added:- "We have an elderly population, with over 10,000 resident being over 75+ according to the the 2001 census. How will cycle lanes help them? We need better parking not cycle lanes. Plus the new traffic flow system will just create a logjam and make the traffic issues worse, especially in the summer or when big events are being held. The roads are in an extremely poor state of state of repair, so why not spend the cash fixing the roads and the damaged pavements, and not adding more problems to the mix?" Plus local residents in the affected area have also commented that:- "The idea that they want to introduce a 1 way systems on Nevill Street and Bold Street is dangerous."

Conservative Group Leader and Dukes Ward Councillor, Mike Prendergast, has also commented on the project saying:- "There are many aspects of the proposed scheme that I welcome. New and safer pedestrian crossings, better quality paving and tree planting are things that I believe will be a benefit and enhance the area. However, the last thing we need along The Promenade is another cycle lane plonked right down the centre of the carriageway. I have been a councillor in Dukes Ward since 2021 and I can genuinely say that nobody has ever said to me wouldn’t it be a good idea to have a cycle lane down the middle of the Prom. Turning Nevill Street and Bold Street may also lead to longer journey times around the Town Centre that is simply going to put people off visiting Southport in their cars. Despite Sefton Council’s, seeming obsession, with pushing schemes designed to encourage cycling, active travel and the like, most people who visit Southport do so by car. It will be the same for the new MLEC, people like their cars and no amount of cycle infrastructure will change that: we would be far better focussing on the basics, fixing the roads and pavements and generally making sure the overall appearance of our town is improved rather than pushing these silly schemes that the vast majority of people don’t want."

So how do you have a say? Are you for or aginst the project? Do you think it needs any changes? Well, Sefton Council have said that:- "We are undertaking a consultation on the scheme concept designs to ensure the proposals are suitable for as many people as possible. We have already started talking to key stakeholders who may be directly impacted by the improvements and we are now launching a wider, public-facing campaign. We welcome all feedback and want to hear your views."

Local residents and businesses can put forward their thoughts about:-'The Promenade Concept Design Public Consultation' to Sefton Council on the proposals via Sefton Council's consultation events that are to be held at The Atkinson (PR81DB) on:-

• 25 February 2025, from:- 10am to 1pm.
  

• 5 March 2025, from:- 1pm to 4pm.

If you can't attend and want to have a say, do not worry. can you submit any comments or feedback to:- Transport.Planning@Sefton.Gov.UK, before:- 15 March 2025.

Please do let us know your thoughts, both good and bad, about this proposed project, by. emailing our our Newsroom at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com or send us a message on:- Mastodon, Facebook, or Twitter.

Churchtown teachers running London Marathon in memory of Southport victims

A Southport Headteacher is running the London Marathon to raise funds in memory of her former students Alice da Silva Aguiar and Bebe King, who lost their lives in the 2024 Southport attack.

Jinnie Payne is the Headteacher at Churchtown Primary School, where Alice and Bebe attended. She is aiming to raise £250,000 by running the marathon, with the funds going towards the construction of a new playground for the School, in memory of Alice and Bebe.

The new playground, which was suggested by Alice's parents as a way of honouring Alice and Bebe's memory, will serve as a joyful and healing place for Churchtown's pupils.

Jinnie will be joined by Alice's father, Sergio Aguiar, as well as colleagues and parents from across the wider Endeavour Learning Trust, which Churchtown is a part of. Runners will either be taking part in the London Marathon, or the Blackpool Festival of Running, which is also in April.

Designs for the new playground include:- a dedicated performance space, a new indoor and outdoor library where pupils and their families can come together, and a trim trail track. Plans also feature enhancements to the early years' playground, including:- a den-building area to inspire creativity and adventure.

Alice's father, Sergio Aguiar, said:- "I'm running not just for Alice, but also everyone who was affected by last year's tragedy. Alice was always so keen on School and learning, and she was very proud of her 100% attendance. The new playground will provide a safe and fun space to help others achieve this too. Who wouldn't want to come to School with such a great playground? The new space also has a library and performance space which is bound to bring joy and memorable moments to the pupils and whole community of Churchtown. This playground is exactly the sort of place which Alice would have loved. Her boundless energy, enthusiasm and creativity will be celebrated in the new playground by other pupils every day. And that's a beautiful and befitting legacy to the community she loved so dearly."

Jinnie Payne, Headteacher at Churchtown Primary School, said:- "Our children have been actively involved in the planning process, and it's been heartwarming to see their faces light up seeing the artist impressions of their new playground. They are full of love and hope for what this outdoor space will bring, and they can't wait to play in a space that reflects our values of unity, and inclusion. This playground will be a symbol of how we come together as a School and a community, supporting 1 another and celebrating the legacy of Alice and Bebe. When my colleagues and I are running in April we'll be holding Alice and Bebe in our hearts, and they'll be powering us on towards the finish line."

David Clayton, CEO of Endeavour Learning Trust, added:- "This project is a testament to the love that surrounds Alice and Bebe and the impact they had on those who knew them. It represents hope for the future, ensuring that their legacy lives on in a meaningful way. Creating a sense of belonging is at the heart of this vision to create a space where every child feels valued, inspired, and supported. Churchtown Primary School and the wider community have come together in unity, demonstrating incredible strength in the face of tragedy. Community spirit is central to everything we do at Endeavour Learning Trust and this playground will be a shared effort to build something lasting and positive for generations to come."

Any additional funds raised will be donated to local charities who are helping those affected by this tragedy.

Donations can be made here. Jinnie and Sergio's journey can be tracked online at:- #ChurchtownPlayground, and businesses and people are encouraged to contribute what they can and use the hashtag to join in fundraising.