Today, Tuesday October 19th there was a consultation from Sustrans and Sefton Council on the proposed 'Liveable Neighbourhood' at the Salvation Army on Shakespeare Street.

Ten minute slots were made available for residents to discuss their opinions on the proposals.

A protest demonstration was held outside the Salvation Army by those opposed to the scheme.

Comments recorded on social media or sent directly to QLocal included:

I arrived at my allotted time but then had to wait for nearly 20 minutes until one of the people on my allocated table was free to speak to me. They kept repeating that they wanted to hear from people like me and that they’d worked really hard to engage with the community. Did apologise for failed leaflet drop but then said they’d also contacted all houses in the Zone the previous week. Also said they published all plans in local newspapers (really?) and that the plans are what people asked for!

They kept emphasising that the road closures are to stop ‘rat runs’, which they believe is a major issue in the Liveable Neighbourhood Area. Whilst I agree there is sometimes an issue with speeding cars, (can’t they install cameras to capture and fine automatically?), I actually believe that most journeys into and out of the zone, are people visiting the area (businesses or residences) or coming and going to their own homes! We need to unpick their evidence for this belief and maybe do some research ourselves.

When I pointed out that all their plans funnelled all traffic onto already congested roads, they admitted that some people may have to travel further!! From Birkdale direction all cars (I think) will need to travel Cemetery Rd, Ash St, onto Scarisbrick New Rd (already congested as it’s the main route from Ormskirk) past Hampton Rd with St Philip’s Primary School (so diverting traffic towards this school) and along to Eastbank St (busy) and Lord Street (v.busy). How are people on these routes going to be able to drive out of their houses? I think the value of these homes will fall as a result of the increased traffic. I asked about specific routes that didn’t make sense and, for example, people having to drive round almost in a circle to be able to leave their homes! Or being directed towards a one way street going the wrong way!

Whenever I mentioned specific streets, I had to find it for them on the map as they’re from Manchester (the people I spoke to anyway) and don’t know the roads at all. Looking at the map, I then realised that one of the worst junctions for safety in Southport, as lots of accidents occur almost weekly, is at the lights by the garage on Cemetery Rd. No changes planned for this at all, as they are not aware there is a problem at this junction (as absolutely no local knowledge). I was told that they have worked with a local person but wouldn’t say who.

Neither would they give the name of the designer/planner.

All suggestions they wanted written on post-it notes and then stuck around the map (clearly been on a course about how to engage with people). I said that I had so many comments that it would be better if I emailed them but she was unable to supply an email address for me to use!!

Afterwards, outside, spoke to lots of people angered by the plans. Only about 30 were there but all equally passionate! Chantelle addressed the group explaining how the plans will isolate her as no one seems to have taken into account the disabled who rely on a car to get around (within the Zone). Other protesters (also disabled) are worried that they’ll be unable to get out of their home as it’s on the already congested Eastbank Street. They feel the disabled are being discriminated against!

Others spoke of their worries about increased traffic and possible gridlock. Also fears of response times for emergency services (I was told that the police have no objections) however local police officers (and fire and ambulance services too) have said differently.

Agreed that we need to try and keep party politics out of this. We need to come together if we are to have any chance of success.

It was great to meet you all tonight and the banner will be up at my shop on Thursday.

The consultation has so far cost 1.7 million which is ridiculous and I think it would be interesting to see a financial breakdown .

How much???? Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the little donkey, how many potholes could that have fixed?

I turned up today after a very difficult day at work at 6:30 and was there until 7:45pm.

I put my points across and do feel sorry for Paul the gentleman from Sustrans as he used a lot of post it notes.

Although it felt Ranty which I did apologise for due to the fact a lot of residents hadn’t received any information; I wanted to get my point across. They didn’t know about Iceland, one stop and Morrison’s HVG lorry’s, they didn’t know about the Woolen Pig and Southport Market newly opening so possibly didn’t get the consultation. They didn’t know that the road they proposed to use to get away from the market and Iceland is the road invfront of the Vincent which I don’t know about others but myself as a Southport resident has NEVER used to get onto main roads as I genuinely thought it wasn’t a cut through due its change in tarmac. They didn’t know about the length of times at the crossings and said that Portland street being blocked at the crossing was because people use it to get from duke street over when the barriers go down. I myself have always gone straight to east bank street as there is only 3 mins between the crossings.

When they took my name they expressed ‘oh the lady whos done the petition’. I am all for helping people cross roads and making people slow down but I am very concerned that the people making these decisions really do not know this Southport area.

Please continue to speak to your neighbours, share the leaflet, email your MPs and share the petition.

I am genuinely concerned that although they say they have spoken to emergency services that the plans that have been unveiled haven’t been checked with them. Again this is my opinion after 22 years on Belmont street, going to Linaker Primary, using Hollybrook as a way to get to Birkdale to socialise and the station to go to high school in Ainsdale & Formby.

Please review the plans yourself and take note. Please remember filter means to block for cars so only bikes and pedestrians will get through.

They didn’t know about the one stop shop needing HGV access, they didn’t know that duke st lights already get busy, they didn’t know that one of their filters directs you down a one way road the wrong way! Princess St! They quoted accident data which seemed inaccurate (but needs verifying) they were unaware of how busy Eastbank St is already. I made all my points very clear … all on post- it’s challenged the lack of local knowledge, the use of the term ‘rat running’, I challenged the comparison to other towns who already have similar systems. Challenged the notion that most residents liked the plan and were for it… Me… Really? I don’t think so.. firstly your own consultation figures show very low percentage of feedback and secondly they all think that they are added cycle lanes but cars will still be able to go through, the word ‘filter’ is a misconception! You are using inaccurate wording on the plans it should say BLOCKED!! I suggested they do temporary police cones blocks with people doing mini surveys at all the points, then see how many people support the idea!! Answer to that… oh we haven’t got the man power for that!

I went in earlier with my son, and to be fair the ladies who helped us were great, they totally got what I was pointing out. Even said it was great to hear our point of view and that they were disappointed we hadn't received the leaflets. For me it felt like a positive experience. Will it make a difference? Let's hope so

Photo credit: eyeonsouthport.co.uk

All quotes taken from a Facebook group opposed to the plans. Talk about biased reporting.

I’m all for this, there is far too many cars on the road

Southport says no? Erm, going by the pics, it looks more like about a dozen say no - duh!

Originally Posted by The PNP

Southport says no? Erm, going by the pics, it looks more like about a dozen say no - duh!

Ah but they have 195 signatures on a petition.
Compared to the 428 who'd already responded to the consultation in favour of the scheme. (68% of 14% of 4500 residents)

Originally Posted by salus.populi

Ah but they have 195 signatures on a petition.
Compared to the 428 who'd already responded to the consultation in favour of the scheme. (68% of 14% of 4500 residents)

On that basis, the scheme, thankfully, looks all set to go ahead.

Tbh, I have never understood why someone would object to a reduction in traffic flow past their house. Do they honestly like the noise, vibration and exhaust stink, enjoy spectating boy racers bombing past and seeing small kids risk life-and-limb to get across safely?

Originally Posted by The PNP

Tbh, I have never understood why someone would object to a reduction in traffic flow past their house.

Well that's the conundrum. Most people want less traffic on the street they live on but many of the same people still want to drive everywhere. It's always other people that should change behaviour, not themselves.
And that's why measures will have to be imposed on them.

Originally Posted by The PNP

On that basis, the scheme, thankfully, looks all set to go ahead.

Tbh, I have never understood why someone would object to a reduction in traffic flow past their house. Do they honestly like the noise, vibration and exhaust stink, enjoy spectating boy racers bombing past and seeing small kids risk life-and-limb to get across safely?

That is my objection! all the extra traffic ,fumes vibration and smell will be coming down my road from diverted traffic! Southport has a higher % of over 75s than anywhere else in the country _ so a high proportion will not be walking or cycling. I am all for doing things to reduce pollution -we all need to make changes to protect our climate -but this plan is not the answer. It affects elderly, disabled and even children going to school (air pollution increase due to movement of traffic around two schools) and the knock on effect to businesses :(

Originally Posted by salus.populi

Ah but they have 195 signatures on a petition.Compared to the 428 who'd already responded to the consultation in favour of the scheme. (68% of 14% of 4500 residents)

in favour should be used lightly closing one road means i wont be able to get my van off my drive to leave the road but yet when i brought this point up last night the sustrans guy said so a turning point would fix that , i pointed out a 4.5m sprinter van can not turn round on boundary street as the turning point would be in someones garden , he continued to ignore me and write turning point on his postage note which did not address my feed back or problem.i asked what is the extra response times for the roads being close off for emergency services he wouldnt answer thathe then asked why are people peaking about the duke street junction , i asked are you from southport he replied no .its a total balls up

So if this plan goes ahead does that mean that we can no longer drive to the buisnesses that are in the new neighbourhood ?

Originally Posted by The PNP

Southport says no? Erm, going by the pics, it looks more like about a dozen say no - duh!

You do realise that the phrase "duh" went out in the 70's and makes you look like a complete bell end for still using it !

Originally Posted by Ric

You do realise that the phrase "duh" went out in the 70's and makes you look like a complete bell end for still using it !

Let’s be honest, everything he posts makes him look a complete bell end.

Originally Posted by Ric

You do realise that the phrase "duh" went out in the 70's and makes you look like a complete bell end for still using it !

Says the man who is just two letters away from being a complete Prick.

Originally Posted by Ric

So if this plan goes ahead does that mean that we can no longer drive to the buisnesses that are in the new neighbourhood ?

Of course you can. It just means one end of some roads will be blocked. They'll become cul-de-sacs.

Originally Posted by donkey22

Says the man who is just two letters away from being a complete Prick.

Ha, and that comment coming from an a$$ !