People in Southport are being urged to show their opposition against plans to install miles of new cycle lanes and to close roads to traffic in the town.

Local councillors are among those voicing their anger against the plans, which would see measures imposed in areas including Birkdale, Hillside, Churchtown and Crossens.

It follows the controversial decision made during lockdown last year to create new cycle lanes in Southport town centre, which included closing Queens Road to traffic, removing pay and display bays along Hoghton Street to accommodate new cycle lanes and reversing the ban on cycling on Chapel Street, Wesley Street and Tulketh Street.

Southport councillor Sinclair Hesketh d’Albuquerque said: “We have been inundated with messages from local residents across Southport who are furious at these proposals.

“With under two weeks to go until the close of the recently announced public consultation into the proposals drawn up by Sefton Labour, it does not give much time to respond for the many dismayed residents who have contacted us.

“Southport Conservative councillors are unanimous in our opposition to these plans, which have been so poorly thought out by Sefton Council.

“Southport's Labour councillors have been very quiet on this extremely important issue, and we would invite them to join us in opposing this crazy scheme.

“Southport is a tourist town, which attracted over nine million visitors in 2019.

“With the exciting plans we are developing through the Town Deal, thanks to £38.5million in funding for Southport from our Conservative Government, we are creating some exciting projects to attract even more visitors.

“So why is Sefton Council making it more difficult for people to drive here and visit? No-one cycles from Preston, Liverpool, or other areas to visit Southport.

“The cycle lanes which have already been imposed in Southport town centre have been disastrous. They have caused huge damage to local businesses at a time they need help and support, by making it more difficult for people to drive into and park there.

“I am astounded that Sefton Council pressed ahead with a scheme that will cost the local authority £137,000 in lost revenue from the loss of pay and display parking spaces along Hoghton Street, which have now been replaced by a lengthy cycle lane along both sides of the road.

“Despite people reeling from the Covid pandemic, Sefton Council hiked Council Tax by 5% this year, hitting struggling families in the pocket at the worst possible time - and yet it can throw away money like this. There is also the cost of installing and maintaining all these new cycle lanes to consider.

“We have been contacted by disabled people who are horrified by the decision to allow cyclists on Chapel Street, making it a no go area for them.

“The cycle lanes in the town centre have damaged small businesses and made life needlessly difficult for local residents.

“Now they want to extend these cycle lanes and close more roads across other areas, which will have a catastrophic effect on Southport.”

Sefton Council has launched a consultation seeking people’s views as it looks to create a North-South cycling route stretching from Ainsdale to Crossens.

In Birkdale and Hillside, the roads which could be closed to traffic in new ‘Quiet Streets’ include: Trafalgar Road; York Road; Alma Road; Greenbank Drive; Dover Road; and Hillside Road.

A number of changes could also be made to other roads in the area, including: installing parking bays, reducing the width of the road, making pavements wider, putting in new benches and linking walking and cycling lanes directly to local schools.

New cycle lanes could also be installed between Hesketh Park and Crossens. The number of lanes at Churchtown lights could be reduced, while existing cycle lanes along Preston New Road could be redeveloped, providing wider family friendly cycle lanes which are separated from traffic.

Traffic lights may be installed at the North Road / Fairhaven Road junction while Little Bibby Road could be closed to traffic.

Southport councillor Sinclair Hesketh d’Albuquerque said: “Many people are unaware of what Sefton Council is planning with its cycle lane proposals.

“Affected routes follow Preston New Road, Cambridge Road, Park Crescent, Queens Road, Hoghton Street, Chapel Street. There will be cycle lanes on both sides of the carriageway. This means that you, and any visitors to your home or business will not be able to park at the kerbside at all.

“The residents on the route who do not have driveways will be unable to park outside their homes.

“Those of you who live in the side roads along that route will have all those vehicles parking that cannot park elsewhere.

“Soon, spaces alongside Hesketh Park will be gone, taken up by a dual lane cycle lane if Sefton has its way! There will be nowhere for anyone who uses Hesketh Park to Parkrun, exercise, bring your children, walk your dogs etc to park your cars! Surely this can’t be right?

“Churchtown Lights already sees traffic backed up in all directions. It is one of the busiest road junctions in Southport. Proposals to reduce lanes here are both dangerous and ridiculous. It will cause chaos.

“On Preston New Road, widening the rarely-used lanes on Preston New Road will restrict the flow of traffic and increase traffic congestion in this area. Cyclists, even some of the lycra clad professionals, have told us that there is no need for them and they will not use them anyway.

“Traffic will just be forced to use quieter residential Streets due to the congestion.

“Closing roads in Birkdale to traffic beggars belief.

“People attending the businesses on the approach to Ainsdale Village, the churches, cemeteries, and rugby events, will all be unable to park as previously on the main roads, and will seek parking anywhere they can.

“There are also associated road closures to through roads such as York Road, Trafalgar Road, Hillside Road and Dover Road, forcing locals to use the main road only, which causes more congestion.

“These proposals appear to have been made by people with absolutely no knowledge of Southport.

“Local people who have contacted us, including cyclists, say they don’t want these new cycle lanes. We are asking people to please take part in the consultation, voice your concerns, and let’s get these barmy proposals thrown out.”

Dukes Ward Councillor Michael Prendergast said: “Many of us in the Conservative group warned as soon as these lanes were introduced that they
would be damaging to local businesses and we have been proven right ever since.

“In areas where parking was already limited and footfall already severely reduced by the pandemic, Sefton Council has once again voted to reduce this parking availability even further and in the case of Queens Road, block traffic from using the road entirely.

“I will continue to campaign, with my colleagues, to see that Sefton Council is held to account for this decision.”

Lee Durkin, who campaigns for the Conservative Party in Birkdale said: “I have spoken with many residents on this issue and the response is unanimous, they don’t want cycle
lanes introduced into the Village.”

Councillor Sinclair Hesketh d’Albuquerque also has serious concerns about the effectiveness of the council’s consultation.

He said: “I am genuinely shocked that Sefton Council thinks that sending this consultation to ‘some residents’, anywhere near constitutes a ‘fit and proper’ consultation!

“Are they including our elderly residents, many of whom may not have access to the internet? No. Is the consultation open to fraudulent responses? Yes - you only need the first few letters of your postcode. Anyone, anywhere could be completing it!

“We are keen to see people enjoying cycling and walking, but I am against the implications that this scheme poses.”

People are invited to submit your responses before 27th June. You may also choose to assist your neighbours who may not have the means of doing this online, by submitting on their behalf.
Please call: 0345 140 0845
Or visit: yourseftonyoursay.sefton.gov.uk/yourstreets
Or email: Transport.planning@sefton.gov.uk
People are invited to join the Facebook group Southport Against Cycle Lane Expansion by clicking on this link here.

Please call: 0345 140 0845
Or visit: yourseftonyoursay.sefton.gov.uk/yourstreets
Or email: Transport.planning@sefton.gov.uk


Likewise, I would urge those of us who will appreciate the miles of new cycle lanes to also get in touch with the above to lend some support to these awesome plans.

I must admit it's a bit embarrassing using some of these cycle lanes as I am usually on my own.

It would be cheaper to send a taxi for me, in fact, a Limousine would be cheaper.

Just imagine how many truly green things we could do with the money that would reach far more people.

There simply aren't the number of cyclists in the town even if the number doubled or trebled to warrant the cost and increased pollution caused by the traffic disruption.

All the objections in the world won’t make a scrap of difference. Labour Councillors in Bootle have decided that this lunatic scheme is to go ahead, regardless of what the residents of Southport want. In fact, the more people that do object will only strengthen their resolve to go ahead with it. It’s an absolute disgrace the our Councillors in Southport get no say whatsoever in the decision.

Originally Posted by justbecause

All the objections in the world won’t make a scrap of difference. Labour Councillors in Bootle have decided that this lunatic scheme is to go ahead, regardless of what the residents of Southport want. In fact, the more people that do object will only strengthen their resolve to go ahead with it. It’s an absolute disgrace the our Councillors in Southport get no say whatsoever in the decision.

Nothing to do with Councillors or Labour it is the Tory Government who have issued the edict that we have to have cycle routes into town centres.

Originally Posted by donkey22

Please call: 0345 140 0845
Or visit: yourseftonyoursay.sefton.gov.uk/yourstreets
Or email: Transport.planning@sefton.gov.uk


Likewise, I would urge those of us who will appreciate the miles of new cycle lanes to also get in touch with the above to lend some support to these awesome plans.

Shouldn't that be 'both of us' instead of 'those of us' ?

Originally Posted by Alikado

Nothing to do with Councillors or Labour it is the Tory Government who have issued the edict that we have to have cycle routes into town centres.

Not quite, the Government is making funds available for it, but individual Councils decide how to spend the money. Bootle Councillors have chosen to ignore the wishes of both Southport’s Councillors and residents, and are on a mission destroy the towns road infrastructure.

Roads were created for the use of people to get from A to B - they were never intended to become linear car-parks!

I am delighted that perfectly good tarmac, which for years has been hogged by motorists leaving their bulky cars on, is actually reverting to its original purpose. In this instance, to allow more people to make their journeys safely by bike if they so wish......An excellent scheme, bring it on!

Originally Posted by justbecause

Not quite, the Government is making funds available for it, but individual Councils decide how to spend the money. Bootle Councillors have chosen to ignore the wishes of both Southport’s Councillors and residents, and are on a mission destroy the towns road infrastructure.

The Councils are under instruction to do this, the only say they have is on routing that is why every Council is doing it. The next on the agenda will be to create LEZ & ULEZs.

Originally Posted by The PNP

Roads were created for the use of people to get from A to B - they were never intended to become linear car-parks!

I am delighted that perfectly good tarmac, which for years has been hogged by motorists leaving their bulky cars on, is actually reverting to its original purpose. In this instance, to allow more people to make their journeys safely by bike if they so wish......An excellent scheme, bring it on!

"Reverting to its original purpose" hmm it appears history as well as anything green appears to be another void in your knowledge.

Which roads were built for us cyclists?

Originally Posted by Anon

Shouldn't that be 'both of us' instead of 'those of us' ?

Ever heard of the expression: 'build it and they will come'?

Fact is, the motoring fraternity have had things all their own way for far too long. Moaning about bikes ridden erratically in the roadway, about bikes on pavements, etc.....Yet suggest getting bikes out of the way and onto their own little strip of tarmac - and motorists are up in arms about that too. They'll only ever be happy, when every last bike is left at home - quietly gathering dust at the back of the garden shed!

Originally Posted by local

"Reverting to its original purpose" hmm it appears history as well as anything green appears to be another void in your knowledge.

Which roads were built for us cyclists?

Motorways aside, which roads were built to exclude cyclists?

Originally Posted by The PNP

Motorways aside, which roads were built to exclude cyclists?

Which roads were built to exclude a majority mode of transport in favour of a minority mode of transport?

Originally Posted by libraryguy

Which roads were built to exclude a majority mode of transport in favour of a minority mode of transport?

Which roads are excluding a “majority mode of transport“?

Originally Posted by donkey22

Which roads are excluding a “majority mode of transport“?

They're trying to restrict the road space for a majority mode of transport which will cause congestion, and give increased and exclusive use of road space to a minority mode of transport.

If I was in power and these cycle lanes were in force, I'd make sure they had face recognition CCTV and heavily fine any cyclist who does NOT use the cycle lane.