Backlash over 'slapdash' city cycle lane plans

Proposed cycle and walking infrastructure aiming to better connect Liverpool city centre with its eastern suburbs has been met with backlash from some councillors and residents.

Liverpool City Council, which has proposed an 8km (5-mile) route between the suburb of Childwall and the city centre, said the plans were largely supported by those surveyed.

Yet those living around Childwall Triangle are concerned the plans would push traffic onto neighbouring roads and reduce parking. Councillor Pat Moloney said it was not a "coherent improvement" while James Anderson, who runs a cafe, called it "slapdash".

In response to concerns, councillor Dan Barrington said: "Everyone's input will be considered".

Moloney said the plans would address certain existing issues, yet coming "at the cost of creating" other problems.

He said those living on Childwall Priory Road would be unable to park outside their homes with the plans making the road two-way.

"If you're going to change something, you should make it better, not worse," he said.

He also highlighted the need to keep or increase disabled parking and loading bays for shops and businesses.

The proposed route would connect the city centre with Childwall, as well as large residential areas and key leisure, employment and education destinations along the corridor, such as Wavertree Sports Park, the University of Liverpool and Liverpool Hope University.

It would connect existing cycle provision at either end – on Lime Street in the city centre and the Liverpool Loop Line in Childwall.

As part of the project, Liverpool City Council would create a new fully segregated bi-directional cycle track on Fir Lane and Woolton Road.

Upgraded crossing facilities at key junctions would also be installed along the route, alongside improved bus platforms on Woolton Road.

Upgrades to the Childwall Triangle are also planned, including a closure of Childwall Abbey Road to make the area, the council hopes, a more welcoming environment for pedestrians and cyclists.

Alan Bibby, who lives on neighbouring Dunbabin Road said the plans would make congestion worse.

"If you close off this triangle to traffic one-way, it's going to push people looking for parking places into all the side roads, roads which are already being used heavily by students from Liverpool Hope University," he said.

Bibby was also left frustrated after attending a recent public consultation on the proposed plans at the university - chaired by members of the council and the team behind the plans.

"There was no ability to record your concerns, they were just taking it by ear," he said.

Anderson, who runs the Calisa coffee shop on Childwall Priory Road, said he was "shocked" upon hearing the proposal.

"We hadn't heard anything beforehand, these plans were just thrown at us, it's all a little slapdash," he said.

The business owner say he relies on delivery vans parking outside his shop to unload - but the plans would forbid parking on the road outside and instead revert back to a two-way system.

Anderson wants to see the area deliver "better and safer" travel routes for everybody, not just cyclists, pointing to the amount of elderly and disabled people in the area.

In response, city councillor Barrington added: "The proposed scheme aims to make our roads safer and easier to use for people walking, wheeling and cycling.

"Active travel brings real health benefits, and we want to give everyone more choice in how they move around the city."

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