Consultation on the first phase of controversial proposals for a £12m segregated cycle lane from Seacombe to Wallasey and New Brighton will be starting in June.
On Tuesday, Councillor Ian Lewis attended a meeting of the Council's 'Active Travel Working Group' and heard how phase one of the proposed route (Seacombe to Liscard) will go out for the public's views after the local council elections in May.
Our concerns about this route have not changed:
- The cost of the scheme is likely to be much higher than the original, pre-pandemic estimate of £12m
- The roads suggested (including Seaview Road, Hose Side Road, Grove Road or Warren Drive) are unsuitable
- Too many residents will be severely inconvenienced for too little benefit to too few others
- The existing cycle route along the coast should be the preferred route
However, recognising that the original 'consultation' was nowhere near acceptable, the Council is currently designing a full 'engagement strategy' and local councillors in the wards affected (Seacombe, Liscard, New Brighton and Wallasey) will be asked for their views on it.
The current plan is for the consultation on phase 1 to last eight weeks from June 2023. This will be followed by a decision by a council committee in the autumn on how or if to proceed.
Depending on what is agreed, phase 2 (Liscard to Wallasey Village and New Brighton) could follow, with consultation in early 2024.
As soon as the consultation is 'live', Ian, Lesley and Steve will make sure residents and businesses locally are informed - if you'd like us to let you know, register using the form below.
'A local matter'
When the scheme was first revealed, in 2020, the council and Liverpool City Region denied responsibility for the selection of the route, instead blaming the Department for Transport in London.
In February, Councillors Ian Lewis and Lesley Rennie met with Transport Minister Richard Holden. He rejected the claim by the local authorities and, in a follow up letter, confirmed that the selection of routes is a local matter by local councils.
Meanwhile, in other related news:
- The national budget for 'active travel' schemes has been cut by £200m in the recent Spring Statement and the impact on the local budget is awaited.
- Following criticism and petitions of schemes at New Chester Road and Fender Lane, the Council has appointed Mott MacDonald to carry out an appraisal of both.
- Concerns raised by local businesses and councillors saw plans for a £1.3m cycle lane on Birkenhead Road in Seacombe postponed, pending more consultation with those most affected.
