At an already difficult time for businesses in Southport, the cycle lanes that have been installed are just another example of how out of touch certain members of Sefton Council are in terms of trading conditions for businesses of all types in Southport.

Cycle lanes were installed on Talbot Street, Hoghton Street and Queens Road earlier in the year with no consultation with residents or local business owners.

Sefton Council has recently published further information on the topic on their website and have previously indicated they would keep the cycle lanes under review. MichaelPrendergast, the prospective council candidate for the Conservatives in Dukes Ward said,

‘It is clear from the information published that Sefton Council currently has little intention of removing the cycle lanes, despite the negative impact that most business owners and residents seem to be reporting.

There is no information from Sefton Council regarding what they consider to be the
minimum usage of the cycle lanes to justify them and every indication so far is that they are not being used in any significant amount.

The detrimental impact on businesses and with talk of making parts of the cycle lanes ‘more permanent in the coming months’ it seems that before a review has been given chance to take place, Sefton MBC are already determined to ignore it’s outcome. The voices of those in Southport are being ignored.’


Sinclair d’Albuquerque, who is the prospective council candidate for the Conservatives in Cambridge Ward and also owns Reuters on Hoghton Street said,


‘The detrimental impact that these cycle lanes have had on Hoghton Street restaurants,cafes, shops, church and school due to a lack of any parking cannot be underestimated. The new cycle lanes are barely used but will lead to the irretrievable loss of a number of businesses and therefore job losses will be inevitable.

Post the national lockdown and not including the “Eat Out to Help Out” scheme our
business had seen incredible growth against last year, right up until these lanes were
installed. Overnight, we slipped into declining sales against last year, a situation that is unsustainable.

I hope the council will see sense and remove the lanes.’

The two candidates will shortly be delivering surveys on the issue to affected local residents and business owners in Dukes Ward and Cambridge Ward to give those who were not consulted by Sefton Council the opportunity to voice their opinions

I'd imagine that being a conservative candidate may have put many people off visiting Mr Albuquerque's establishment.

Originally Posted by salus.populi

I'd imagine that being a conservative candidate may have put many people off visiting Mr Albuquerque's establishment.

Thank you for bringing this to my attention. One establishment I’ll definitely be giving a wide berth to once we’re out of lockdown.

Originally Posted by salus.populi

I'd imagine that being a conservative candidate may have put many people off visiting Mr Albuquerque's establishment.

Or maybe some of the 22914 conservative voters from the last election may wish to pay a visit to the said establishment.

Originally Posted by donkey22

Thank you for bringing this to my attention. One establishment I’ll definitely be giving a wide berth to once we’re out of lockdown.

Don't worry there will be a soup kitchen somewhere for you.

Originally Posted by local

Don't worry there will be a soup kitchen somewhere for you.

Maybe. Probably much more interesting company in a soup kitchen.

Instead of whining about bikes, why not encourage his (probably overweight) clientele to get there on one...by offering a 10% discount to those who come by bike!

In any case, I'd imagine being shut due to the lockdown is affecting Reuters far more than a humble cycle-lane ever could....And isn't the guy on the left, the very same one who popped up to also oppose cycling in Birkdale? Where will he strike next?

N.B. Suggest those opposed to cycle-lanes, try their luck cycling amongst traffic for a few minutes, where they'll soon realise the advantages of protected cycle tarmac!

Originally Posted by caretaker

Or maybe some of the 22914 conservative voters from the last election may wish to pay a visit to the said establishment.

Even if Hoghton St had no cycle lane where would they all park?
Seems his usual customers are unable to walk around the corner.

Originally Posted by donkey22

Maybe. Probably much more interesting company in a soup kitchen.

I'm sure you would feel untaxed and "right at home"

Originally Posted by local

I'm sure you would feel untaxed and "right at home"

And while I’m enjoying my delicious bowl of soup, perhaps you could go back to primary school and learn all about the correct construction of a simple sentence?

Originally Posted by caretaker

Or maybe some of the 22914 conservative voters from the last election may wish to pay a visit to the said establishment.

It's disappointing that cycling is treated by some as a political 'football'........Surely the Climate Emergency we're in affects us all, regardless who we vote for? None more so, than those of us who live at or near current sealevel!

Originally Posted by donkey22

Thank you for bringing this to my attention. One establishment I’ll definitely be giving a wide berth to once we’re out of lockdown.

Don't worry it will be closed thanks to providing a facility that was neither warranted or needed.
If you can get into your head the fact that the large percentage of cyclists are brainless fools who ride where THEY want to ride not where they are supposed to ride even you may realise how pathetic this closing roads to traffic and providing something that is NOT used without any consultation is both ridiculous and unwanted.

I want all idiot drivers taken off the road just as much as I want all idiot cyclists taken off the pavement.

Originally Posted by donkey22

And while I’m enjoying my delicious bowl of soup, perhaps you could go back to primary school and learn all about the correct construction of a simple sentence?

You need something to wash that bile out of you.

Is it that tough at the bottom?

Originally Posted by donkey22

And while I’m enjoying my delicious bowl of soup, perhaps you could go back to primary school and learn all about the correct construction of a simple sentence?

Perhaps he could take you with him so that you could learn where, and where not to put a question mark.

Originally Posted by justbecause

Perhaps he could take you with him so that you could learn where, and where not to put a question mark.

Incorrect. Question marks can be used with rhetorical questions.