Dukes Ward Conservative Candidate, Mike Prendergast, has hit out at plans put forward by Southport Lib Dems to use monies from the Town Deal fund to purchase vacant commercial premises in Southport town centre.

Councillor John Pugh has recently suggested that funds be used to purchase vacant buildings and cited examples of other local councils doing the same.

Mike Prendergast said, ‘We are all aware of the difficult circumstances our high street faces and the need to encourage more mixed use of vacant commercial buildings with residential development on the upper floors of many vacant buildings, as proposed for the recently purchased former BHS building.

However, at a time when the commercial property market is in a state of flux, with prices being pushed down as more and more shops potentially become vacant; it can hardly be considered a sensible use of public resources to buy up vacant commercial units, which may fall further in value.

The suggestion is that we can use the ‘expertise’ offered by Sefton Council in site acquisition. If this is the same expertise that bought Bootle Strand for the bargain price of £32.5 million and planned the recently installed cycle lane routes in Southport town centre, then I think we could all do without that sort of ‘expertise’.

The role of the council in these type of matters is surely not to engage in, what would amount to, property speculation but to set the economic framework to attract private inward investment into our town and support our existing businesses with practical policies that increase footfall in the town centre and encourage growth.’

"The role of the council …set the economic framework to attract private inward investment into our town and support our existing businesses with practical policies that increase footfall in the town centre and encourage growth.’"

…taking us for fools?

It is easy to talk about

"the economic framework to attract private inward investment"

…put a little flesh on those bare bones, Councillor Wannabe

Irrespective of the merits, or demerits, of picking up property whilst prices are low - why does he insist on bringing cycle-lanes into the discussion? I'm curious, does the guy have an as-yet-undisclosed anti-cyclist agenda?

Locals have long been loth to turn out on their bikes, for fear of being involved in collisions with motor traffic. Many would welcome a safer environment, where they can reduce CO2 emissions whilst doing their shopping and arrive home in one piece.

Another gormless Tory non entity standing on a street corner spouting nonsense.

Body language alert:

Folded arms = "I'm not listening"

Originally Posted by Lamparilla

Body language alert:

Folded arms = "I'm not listening"

This is a photo from a previous story, where he showed a distinct lack of effort in relation to pot holes.

Could it be a non-committal stance, so it can be added to any post?

Originally Posted by Nash

Another gormless Tory non entity standing on a street corner spouting nonsense.

bit harsh, have you met him or are you just presuming that a qualified solicitor/partner in a local solicitors is a “gormless non-entity” versus the Lib Dem’s who I presume you feel are not gormless and deliver value for the town? I’m no fan of the Tories but they have a far better chance of achieving something for Southport than Pugh and co who’ve spent year’s handwringing at our expense unless you can enlighten me with what they’ve done?

Originally Posted by Username2016

Pugh and co who’ve spent year’s handwringing at our expense unless you can enlighten me with what they’ve done?

Since Mike has shown his colours re dissing facilities for cyclists, I'll confine this response to that area, which as cyclist affects me directly...Fyi, the Lib-Dems have done much around town for cycling.

1. New cycle-lanes for London Street.

2. New cycle route from the Prom right through to Newlands Park (btw, they created that too!).

3. New cycle lanes on Preston New Road.

4. New cycle lanes Derby Road.

5. Improvements to Weld Road roundabout and Shore Road roundabout.

6. Link-path from Marine Drive to Banks Road.

7. New path shore end of Marshside Road.

8. Skate/BMX bikepark alongside the pier.

9. Supported the Dune Path scheme (Ainsdale Coast Rd roundabout - Waterloo Rd).

10. Toucan crossings for both Scarisbrick New Rd and Meols Cop Rd.

11. Installation of dropped kerbs at strategic locations.

12. Various further improvements for the benefit of local bike users.

Perhaps you would be so kind as to list what Mike has done/will do for cycling in Southport?

Originally Posted by The PNP

Since Mike has shown his colours re dissing facilities for cyclists, I'll confine this response to that area, which as cyclist affects me directly...Fyi, the Lib-Dems have done much around town for cycling.

1. New cycle-lanes for London Street.

2. New cycle route from the Prom right through to Newlands Park (btw, they created that too!).

3. New cycle lanes on Preston New Road.

4. New cycle lanes Derby Road.

5. Improvements to Weld Road roundabout and Shore Road roundabout.

6. Link-path from Marine Drive to Banks Road.

7. New path shore end of Marshside Road.

8. Skate/BMX bikepark alongside the pier.

9. Supported the Dune Path scheme (Ainsdale Coast Rd roundabout - Waterloo Rd).

10. Toucan crossings for both Scarisbrick New Rd and Meols Cop Rd.

11. Installation of dropped kerbs at strategic locations.

12. Various further improvements for the benefit of local bike users.

Perhaps you would be so kind as to list what Mike has done/will do for cycling in Southport?

thanks, you’re the first to be able to list what they’ve done albeit doubt most of the above are single handed, great if into cycling I’m sure.....

Originally Posted by Username2016

thanks, you’re the first to be able to list what they’ve done albeit doubt most of the above are single handed, great if into cycling I’m sure.....

Yes, I am into cycling. Not only for a pleasant Saturday cross-country ride. But more to the point, as a hassle-free means of accessing any part of town, with no parking issues - and at no cost to either my pocket or the environment.

Btw, while local politics may not be of any great interest to me. If their work for cycling is anything to go by, I'm sure the Lib-Dems will have done far more for the town, than just improve a cyclists lot.

Originally Posted by The PNP

Since Mike has shown his colours re dissing facilities for cyclists, I'll confine this response to that area, which as cyclist affects me directly...Fyi, the Lib-Dems have done much around town for cycling.

1. New cycle-lanes for London Street.

2. New cycle route from the Prom right through to Newlands Park (btw, they created that too!).

3. New cycle lanes on Preston New Road.

4. New cycle lanes Derby Road.

5. Improvements to Weld Road roundabout and Shore Road roundabout.

6. Link-path from Marine Drive to Banks Road.

7. New path shore end of Marshside Road.

8. Skate/BMX bikepark alongside the pier.

9. Supported the Dune Path scheme (Ainsdale Coast Rd roundabout - Waterloo Rd).

10. Toucan crossings for both Scarisbrick New Rd and Meols Cop Rd.

11. Installation of dropped kerbs at strategic locations.

12. Various further improvements for the benefit of local bike users.

Perhaps you would be so kind as to list what Mike has done/will do for cycling in Southport?

And you still whine and ***** about the lack of facilities for cyclists, you’re incredible.

Originally Posted by justbecause

And you still whine and ***** about the lack of facilities for cyclists, you’re incredible.

Because the job remains a work in progress...the goal being to achieve a joined-up network of safe routes.

Originally Posted by Username2016

bit harsh, have you met him or are you just presuming that a qualified solicitor/partner in a local solicitors is a “gormless non-entity” versus the Lib Dem’s who I presume you feel are not gormless and deliver value for the town? I’m no fan of the Tories but they have a far better chance of achieving something for Southport than Pugh and co who’ve spent year’s handwringing at our expense unless you can enlighten me with what they’ve done?

Probably he is just in charge of the pencils. and what on earth can the Tories do, other than line their own pockets, and make a mess of everything?

Originally Posted by Nash

Probably he is just in charge of the pencils. and what on earth can the Tories do, other than line their own pockets, and make a mess of everything?

you do know the John Pugh rented an office from the Lib Dem’s using his parliamentary allowances and in turn recorded as income to the local party each year?

Whether or not it was at a fair market rate guess only people can take a view point on and of the office was free to use why didn’t he just lower the cost of politics over topping up local coffers?

Originally Posted by The PNP

2. New cycle route from the Prom right through to Newlands Park (btw, they created that too!).

I cylce this route regularly. There is no cylce route, it's all public roads apart from 20 pointless yards of cylce lane at the top of Coronation Walk and the bit that crosses Lord St. There's no cycle path between there and Newlands (now renamed Kew Woods).