It's a hat trick  -  work starts on 3rd pop up cycle lane

WORK has started installing Liverpool's 3rd pop up cycle lane, connecting the City Centre with Bootle. The temporary 2.5 mile 'Liverpool Loop North' route comes into town from Bootle New Strand via Stanley Road, Commercial Road and Vauxhall Road into Hatton Garden and Dale Street. It is 1 of 7 which will eventually be rolled out across the City to create a 65 mile long network designed to get people using more sustainable forms of transport.

A 3 mile long branch, from West Derby Road; along the eastern corridor into the City Centre; has been operating since May, and attracted 12,500 cycle journeys from the start of July until the middle of August 2020. A 2nd route from historic Sefton Park, to the City Centre, was completed in June 2020.

Councillor Sharon Connor, Liverpool City Council's Cabinet Member for Highways, said:- "This is a real change in promoting how people travel around Liverpool. The pop up lanes are a temporary solution but we are also looking at investing in the permanent cycling network because it is an enjoyable and affordable way to travel; and a great way to improve your body, your mind and the environment. This is about creating connected cycling routes around the City, giving bike users dedicated space on the highway."

The City Council's Cabinet approved a ₤4m fund to create the segregated pop up cycle lanes as a response to the Covid-19 impact on people's travel plans. A key aim of Liverpool's new pop up routes is to connect people to the City's permanent cycle network.

Liverpool's pop up 7 are:-

► Route 1  -  West Derby Road  -  Kensington  -  City South.

► Route 2  -  Sefton Park to City Centre  -  Sefton Park perimeter  -  Sefton Park Road.

► Route 3  -  Liverpool Loop North: Bootle New Strand  -  Bank Hall  -  Vauxhall  -  City Centre.

► Route 4  -  East Lancs  -  Townsend  -  Breck Road  -  City Centre.

► Route 5  -  East Prescot Road  -  University Hospital  -  London Road  -  City Centre.

► Route 6  -  (University Route): Gateacre  -  Woolton Road  -  Wavertree  -  Lawrence Road  -  Crown Street  -  Myrtle Street  -  City Centre.

► Route 7  -  Liverpool Loop South: Hale  -  Speke Boulevard  -  Garston Village  -  Aigburth Road  -  City Centre.

Funding for the pop up cycle lanes is to be sourced from the Council's highways investment programme and via the Emergency Active Travel Fund established by the Department of Transport.

A further ₤100,000 has been identified to invest in upgrading infrastructure for Liverpool's existing CityBike hire scheme. The proposed ₤4m pop up cycling fund is part of a wider ₤15.5m investment in a new phase of Liverpool's ₤500m Better Roads programme. In addition, the Council is currently overseeing a ₤45m upgrade to City Centre connectivity and is introducing 7 miles of new permanent cycle lanes. It is also about to look at expanding its 20mph zones to further improve safety and air pollution.

Simon O'Brien, Liverpool's Cycling Commissioner, added:- "The ongoing Covid Pandemic means we must reassess our future travel plans to help those vulnerable people already affected by high levels of air pollution and poor health due to inactivity, as well as those understandably nervous about using public transport. On top of all that we are engaged in a Climate Emergency. These temporary lanes are a real start to combatting all these difficult issues are City is facing. Liverpool City Council is leading from the front in the fight to improve the lives of the people of our region. Keep riding, get riding, to help make our City a better place to live. We must act now."

To promote cycling in the City, the public are being asked to come forward with ideas on how to improve access for cyclists and pedestrians. People are encouraged to post their views online. You can also ask questions via emailing them at:- CyclingWalking@liverpool.Gov.UK.

New hospitality business opens on Lord Street, Southport

WITH businesses all over the UK closing, it takes guts to open any business in the current Covid19 climate, but a new Coffee Shop has just opened on Lord Street, Southport, next to Costa Coffee, within the former Cocoa House. The business has been set up by a property developer, from Lester, who has seen long term potential, in the Seaside Town. The  Skylight's 1st customer was in fact the Mayor of Sefton, who was served by a 16 year old, Emma, who has just got her very job at the venue!

The venue's Director, Nagender Gopal Chindam, said:- "We take pride in making a cup of coffee from 1 of the best espresso machines and from the award winning coffee roasters in UK. Along with our good Baristas, we probably serving the best coffee in Town. Well, Customer always comes 1st for us at Skylight, we look forward to welcome them and decide whether we are or not the best coffee in Town!  We are sustainability focussed and environmental friendly Start up company. We serve our coffees in recycled cups made from coffee husks. We serve in relaxed and tranquil venue for great customer service. It took lot of courage to start in these uncertain and challenging times, however I have full faith in lovely people of Southport, that their encouragement and support on only enables our business to survive, but to thrive and flourish. We look forward to serve #Southport."