Town's cycle lane plans need reviewing, says MP

Plans to build a cycle lane down the middle of a seaside resort's promenade need to be reviewed, the town's MP has said.

Sefton Council's proposed scheme is part of a wider project designed to help reduce traffic pollution and make it easier for cyclists and pedestrians in the centre of Southport.

Local Labour MP Patrick Hurley said the plans had caused "consternation" in the town.

Council documents show CGI impressions of the cycle lane as a "green spine" running along the prom, with cars travelling either side.

The project is phase two of "Les Transformations de Southport", which aims to improve connectivity across the town centre, including improved pedestrian and cycling routes to and from the waterfront, and the creation of new public spaces for hosting events.

The council said having a cycle lane in the middle of the road would "keep the pavement free from cyclists and reduce conflicts between vehicles pulling in/out or pedestrians stepping into the road".

Tim Mercer, who runs a bicycle maintenance firm, was among those who contacted BBC Radio Merseyside to criticise the plans.

He said: "I cycle loads. I work as a cycle mechanic, so I'm definitely not anti-cycle, but this is the maddest proposal I've ever seen.

"It gets cyclists to cycle twice across the road to get to a central cycle path."

He added: "It's bizarre that there's an existing cycle route along the sides of the Marine Lake from the north end of the lake.

"It's a massive bonus this route already exists so it's a no-cost option."

Hurley said that while he broadly supported Sefton Council's wider scheme, he had written to the authority's assistant director of highways to raise concerns about the cycle lane.

He said: "Whilst acknowledging and encouraging that active travel is clearly an important objective, the expected footfall to this area from visitors to the town is unlikely to be from cyclists, making the lanes somewhat unnecessary and I'd caution against implementation of this element of the plans."

Sefton Council's website says "The Promenade is wide enough to accommodate a cycle lane without compromising space for vehicles, pedestrians, and other modes of transport.

"The central location of the cycle lane ensures a direct and safe route that does not interfere with kerbside activities such as loading, parking and taxi bays."

However Hurley said part of the scheme would see some streets between Lord Street and the promenade become one-way.

He said: "There's a risk the resulting layout is going to be less intuitive for residents and visitors travelling into the town.

"Particularly, there's going to be issues around access to the Marine Lake event centre, the pier and the wider promenade area.

"Ensuring that these destinations remain straightforward to reach for both visitors and residents will be important as the area continues to develop."

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