The two Sefton Conservative Candidates for Birkdale and Dukes Ward together with Councillor Sir Ron Watson have expressed their very grave concern and their opposition to an extension of cycle lanes which will affect very adversely Birkdale village and the surrounding areas.





The proposals to introduce cycle lanes in Alma Road, York Road and Trafalgar Road in particular they believe will add considerable difficulties to access and parking in an area that is already well known for what are considered to be quite unique problems.

Birkdale Candidate, Lee Durkin, said “There has never been a time where it has been more important to ensure that Sefton Council never takes action which is going to have an adverse impact on the retail shops in Birkdale village and area. Most of these are small individually owned businesses and they have been fighting very hard to keep going in what are the most difficult times that anyone can remember and we need to give them every encouragement and not introduce measures that will be counter-productive”.

Dukes Ward Candidate Mike Prendergast added: “There are long-standing parking problems in this area and there are many cars parked in the surrounding roads, most of which are proved to be from the staff at Smedley Hydro”.

The Conservatives have made progress in alleviating one dangerous corner but what is now being put forward purely on the basis that an element of exterior funding has been made available will only add to the difficulties.

Dukes Ward Councillor Sir Ron Watson said: “The area on what is known as the shore side but particularly York Road and Trafalgar Road will suffer from impeded traffic flows and worsen considerably parking issues. The population in this part of our town is elderly and whilst they might have been attracted to cycle lanes 40 years ago they certainly won’t be in such a position at the present time."

The initial part of the scheme deeply damaged Hoghton Street and there seems to have been no recognition that there needed to be that a review was called for in the hope that at the very least the adverse impact of what has happened up to now could be lessened.

In this area of Birkdale we most certainly don’t want to extend the problem based on a set of arbitrary decisions that have been made without seeking the views of the local business community in particular.

There as never been a time where it has been more important to reduce damaging, planet-harming greenhouse emissions from the private car......Don't these selfish car people know we're in the middle of a worldwide Climate Emergency - duh!

‘The initial part of the scheme deeply damaged Hoghton Street and there seems to have been no recognition that there needed to be that a review was called for in the hope that at the very least the adverse impact of what has happened up to now could be lessened but in this area of Birkdale we most certainly don’t want to extend the problem based on a set of arbitrary decisions that have been made without seeking the views of the local business community in particular.‘


Who ever wrote this should be ashamed of themselves. Have you even heard of comma’s?

Originally Posted by The PNP

There as never been a time where it has been more important to reduce damaging, planet-harming greenhouse emissions from the private car......Don't these selfish car people know we're in the middle of a worldwide Climate Emergency - duh!

Duh! As in Lee Duhkin I suppose.

Originally Posted by donkey22

Duh! As in Lee Duhkin I suppose.

Lol!

Why do we need cycle lanes. Just ride on the pavement. If its ok for a car to drive on and park on the pavement a carefully ridden bike should be no problem. Also less bikes on the actual road will allow cars to travel at an even greater speed.

Originally Posted by The PNP

There as never been a time where it has been more important to reduce damaging, planet-harming greenhouse emissions from the private car......Don't these selfish car people know we're in the middle of a worldwide Climate Emergency - duh!

Still driving your gas guzzling air polluting van are you.

And so it transpired that "cycle lanes" became the 21st century bogeyman, just as "pay and display" was for the 20th, where no day shall pass without local non-entities expressing their outrage in the lead up to elections that 2/3rds of people never vote in.

Is anyone else getting bored of the same drivel?

It’s only about 48 hours since this:-

https://www.qlocal.co.uk/southport/n...e-55049427.htm

Rather than bleating, if these wannabe Councillors (across all parties) came up with something fresh about what they’ll do for the electorate it would be a start!

Originally Posted by Sap33

Is anyone else getting bored of the same drivel?

It’s only about 48 hours since this:-

https://www.qlocal.co.uk/southport/n...e-55049427.htm

Rather than bleating, if these wannabe Councillors (across all parties) came up with something fresh about what they’ll do for the electorate it would be a start!

They know they'll never be in power in Sefton so don't have to actually come up with any ideas or policies. Just criticism.

Originally Posted by salus.populi

They know they'll never be in power in Sefton so don't have to actually come up with any ideas or policies. Just criticism.

You missed my point, ALL prospective councillors can only seem to moan and not come up with anything positive.

Originally Posted by donkey22

Duh! As in Lee Duhkin I suppose.

You could never say that of Lee, my friend. He is a great local guy - brilliant with people and pets. You should call round to see him, you will get a great welcome.

Originally Posted by Ric

Still driving your gas guzzling air polluting van are you.

He has to because his air polluting wood burners are too heavy to carry around in his panniers.

By the same great wisdom - I am surprised that they have not suggested cycle lanes right through the village too. The roads mentioned are comparatively quiet roads - any child can negotiate these easily and safely on a bike as it is - they do not need cycle lanes.
Deliveries and tradespeople need to use these roads for access to the residential properties on a regular basis - so cycle lanes would be redundant for most of the time. Where is the benefit of cycle lanes in this area? How are they any benefit to anyone?
Use the money to provide a bridge or two over the River Ribble, and improve the footpath to accept cycles. This would make a much safer route for cyclists, who would not have to travel along the hugely busy dual carriageway and it would link up with the Preston Guild and the Ribble Way. This could be an additional attraction for Southport, it could be used for cycle/marathon runners etc., in complete safety. Motorists would not be affected and since the footpaths are already in place it would not be expensive nor difficult to do. This would be in Sefton's interest bringing more sports people to Southport.

Originally Posted by ian1gail

Why do we need cycle lanes. Just ride on the pavement. If its ok for a car to drive on and park on the pavement a carefully ridden bike should be no problem. Also less bikes on the actual road will allow cars to travel at an even greater speed.

Cars cannot speed on those roads due to natural and existing obstacles. Just as cyclists cannot cycle on the path - it is not wide enough.