Southport MP Damien Moore has welcomed the announcement from Sefton Council that their controversial cycle lane plans have been put on hold.

The Council made the announcement on 5 January, following over five months of deliberation over whether to impose the plans against the views of residents or not.

Had the scheme gone ahead, the proposals would have cost in the region of £1.35 million.

Cllr John Fairclough, the Cabinet Member with responsibility for this scheme, has said that the Council will now come up with alternate proposals. Damien Moore MP has made clear that any new plans must not include Southport.

In November 2021, the Council finally published the results of their consultation with residents and businesses, which showed overwhelming opposition to the plans in Southport.

Damien Moore MP said:

“I welcome this announcement. It has been clear since the plans were first published that they did not have the support of residents, and I am glad that Sefton Council have finally acknowledged this.

“I remain concerned that the Council may simply tweak existing plans and bring them forward once again later in the year. They need to be clear that any alternative plans will not include Southport.

“We also need clarity on the 'temporary' lanes added in the town centre - local businesses and residents must not be left in limbo. The Council need to confirm whether they will take down the lanes added in 2020.

“The lanes on Hoghton Street and Queens Road replaced on-street parking for visitors, residents, and businesses, which will be much-needed over the busy summer months this year.”

Cllr Sinclair d'Albuquerque added:

“I'm delighted that the hard work of Damien, myself, and Conservative colleagues has paid off.

“There is still work to do, with the focus now being on ensuring these plans do not come back in the future in Southport, and that the temporary lanes in the town centre are removed.”

https://twitter.com/LeoHickman/statu...z6hwM1PWQ&s=19

Originally Posted by editor

Cllr John Fairclough, the Cabinet Member with responsibility for this scheme, has said that the Council will now come up with alternate proposals. Damien Moore MP has made clear that any new plans must not include Southport.

'Alternate proposals' are just that.....However our MP seems to think 'alternative proposals' = proposals rescinded. Sorry to burst his bubble, but wishful thinking like that won't get him very far - the (lightly modified) scheme is coming to town, lol!

First you say a few tweaks then full steam ahead.
Now it’s lightly modified, the whole scheme is dead.

Cycle lanes not coming to town

( ( to the tune of Santa is coming to town )).

Originally Posted by MICK/GILLY

First you say a few tweaks then full steam ahead.
Now it’s lightly modified, the whole scheme is dead.

Cycle lanes not coming to town

( ( to the tune of Santa is coming to town )).

A few tweaks or lightly modified, what's the difference?

I wouldn't place too much store in what DM has to say on the subject. Because at end of day, what he wants is neither here nor there, as it's not his decision to make. He's simply spouting anti-cyclist hot air, in the hope of garnering enough motoring votes to save his seat come election time - duh!

Well it seems to be ping ponging back to doing away with the ideas and putting the streets back to the way they were, it makes more sense to most and we all know that the green angle to it is just rhetoric nonesense that has to be seen to be being made an effort with but apart from all that a few little cycle lanes here and there without the likes of whole roads closed off and old lady killing bollards should make the handful of cyclists in the town feel like they matter .

Originally Posted by MICK/GILLY

Well it seems to be ping ponging back to doing away with the ideas and putting the streets back to the way they were, it makes more sense to most and we all know that the green angle to it is just rhetoric nonesense that has to be seen to be being made an effort with but apart from all that a few little cycle lanes here and there without the likes of whole roads closed off and old lady killing bollards should make the handful of cyclists in the town feel like they matter .

And why has there always been little more than 'a handful' of cyclists here, when the terrain is so flat and ideal? Imo, because there has only ever been a handful of places where people feel safe to cycle....Give people genuinely safe kerbed-off routes to use and more will be prepared to get their bikes out - it's like chicken and egg!

No you are living in the age of old black and white picture postcards, everyone’s got a car, a phone and the internet ( and Netflix ) now and apart from a very rare and often nostalgic ride once around the block with the kids when they are not playing their Xbox’s people can’t be arsed with bicycles mostly.

I am appalled that our town's Conservative MP says he wants NOTHING in Southport to make life safer and easier for cyclists young and old.

The proposals Sefton Council put forward were pretty dire, but shouldn't the town's politicians be working with residents to put forward a SENSIBLE proposal.

Originally Posted by SalusPopuli

I am appalled that our town's Conservative MP says he wants NOTHING in Southport to make life safer and easier for cyclists young and old.

Votes at the ballot-box mate, votes.....Almost everyone drives, in other words that's where he thinks the votes are, so stuff cyclists safety - duh!

Originally Posted by The PNP

Votes at the ballot-box mate, votes.....Almost everyone drives, in other words that's where he thinks the votes are, so stuff cyclists safety - duh!

I don't think it's that. I think it is sheer stupidity on his part.

Maybe he would like to explain why he doesn't think there should be any additional safe and sensible cycle routes in Southport.

The irony is that it is the Conservative Government that Damien Moore supports which is pushing hard for a lot more safe cycle routes in towns all over the country.

Originally Posted by SalusPopuli

I am appalled that our town's Conservative MP says he wants NOTHING in Southport to make life safer and easier for cyclists young and old.

The proposals Sefton Council put forward were pretty dire, but shouldn't the town's politicians be working with residents to put forward a SENSIBLE proposal.

That can’t happen because the Town’s Politicians (Southport Councillors) don’t have a say, all decisions are made by Labour Councillors in Bootle.

Originally Posted by The PNP

And why has there always been little more than 'a handful' of cyclists here, when the terrain is so flat and ideal? Imo, because there has only ever been a handful of places where people feel safe to cycle....!

Surely National 810 is safe to cycle.For those who don't know, National Route 810 connects central Liverpool with the southern outskirts of Southport near Ainsdale, going via Liverpool and Everton football grounds, Crosby and Formby.

Originally Posted by r4dent

Surely National 810 is safe to cycle.For those who don't know, National Route 810 connects central Liverpool with the southern outskirts of Southport near Ainsdale, going via Liverpool and Everton football grounds, Crosby and Formby.

There is also the TPT (Trans Pennine Trail). The two routes serve both commuters and leisure riders. Though in places the 'offroad' nature of them is really not ideal for fast commutes, particularly if you intend arriving at work with mud-free clothing!

Leisure rides aside, as with cars/trains/busses etc, the majority of usage is (or should be) for everyday purposes. This is the specific area where bike infrastructure has till now been very much lacking. There is a great potential for growth in 'normal' bike use, which will only ever be truly liberated, when people have safe segregated routes to use around town.