Liverpool seeks feedback on major cycle lane
Part of the city council’s active travel initiative, the route would create access for more than 100,000 people from Childwall to the city centre.
Liverpool City Council has launched a public consultation[1] on its plans to create an 8km cycle lane, connecting Childwall to the Lime Street corridor and the city’s waterfront.
Wavertree Sports Park, the University of Liverpool, and Liverpool Hope University will also feature along the corridor.
Proposals also include new and improved footpaths, pedestrian crossing facilities, and landscaping.
The route has been broken down into three sections: city centre, Wavertree, and Childwall.
The city centre would benefit from the delivery of a cycle track through Renshaw Street, Leece Street, Hardman Street, and Myrtle Street, as well as updated crossing facilities at key junctions.
Through Wavertree, a cycle track would be provided on Earle Road, along with active travel crossings at the Smithdown Road and Upper Parliament Street junction.
Childwall would see safer cycle facilities on Fir Lane and Woolton Road with motorbikes separated.
Cllr Dan Barrington, cabinet member for environment and climate change, said: “The Childwall-city corridor has the potential to make cycling an easier option for tens of thousands of people.
“When you factor in how it will connect to other routes, you start to see the impact this could have – be it in our environment, our air quality, and people’s physical and mental wellbeing”, he continued.
“Rebalancing the shift away from cars to more active travel is also going to be fundamental for any city in its pursuit in tackling climate change.”
These proposals are one of six permanent travel routes the city council is delivering as part of its active travel programme, which seeks to benefit cycling and walking in the region.
The Liverpool Loop Line running from Halewood to Aintree and a new cycle training facility at Everton Park are set to open next month.
Other initiatives in the programme include travel routes through West Derby Road, Vauxhall Road, and Sefton Park, as well as corridors from East Lancs Road and Speke to the city centre.
Simon O’Brien, walking and cycling commissioner for the Liverpool City Region, said: “Cycling is great for air quality and the environment, and brilliant for our physical and mental health and wellbeing.
“But we shouldn’t just think of getting on our bikes as exercise – it’s also a cheap and easy way to commute to work, travel to school or college, and even pop to the local shops”, he continued.
“But to encourage more people to leave the car at home for short journeys we need to make cycling a really attractive option by building safe, separated routes where people can ride their bikes with confidence.”
The consultation on the proposals for the Childwall to city centre route will run until 31 July.
Following the consultation, a business case will be submitted for funding. If successful, a tender will be sent out for a contractor by winter.
References
- ^ public consultation (www.liverpool.gov.uk)