Bus lanes could be returning to Liverpool after decade-long …
In a bid to shift the public away from private cars, the city council signed off a draft transport plan[1] yesterday to encourage more sustainable forms of travel.
Liverpool City Council’s Local Transport Plan will be developed in partnership with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, with proposals underpinned by the city’s aim to achieve net zero carbon by 2030.
Former Mayor Joe Anderson scrapped the city’s bus lanes almost 10 years ago in 2014. The authority hopes that their re-introduction will pave the way in tackling the city’s congested bus network by delivering faster, more reliable, and accessible journeys.
Proposals feature the installation of five priority bus lanes leading from Liverpool to Knowsley and St Helens, Bootle and Crosby, Speke and John Lennon Airport, Halewood and Widnes, and Kirkby, Tower Hill, and Northwood.
Additionally, the city’s rail network would be reformed to become part of an integrated London-style transport system. These upgrades include enhancements to Liverpool Central station, service extensions, and a new Liverpool Baltic Rail Station designed by architects Mott Macdonald and Owen Ellis[2].
Having recently installed 300 electric vehicle chargers, Liverpool also hopes to be at the forefront of the EV revolution with plans to install another 2,000 chargers across the city by May 2027.
Furthermore, in an effort to encourage residents to walk more, cycle more, and drive less, a range of public realm improvements would be implemented. These improvements include a network of traffic-free greenways that link parks, green spaces, and recreational sites.
In terms of developing active travel routes, Liverpool City Council is already introducing seven new permanent cycles lanes[3] across the city.
Cllr Dan Barrington, Liverpool City Council’s cabinet member for transport and connectivity, said: “The transport plan lays bare the stark reality that car usage needs to be dramatically reduced.
From a climate change and air quality perspective our reliance on the car is unsustainable and in many ways it is impractical, with almost two thirds of all car journeys less than 5km, we need to make it much easier, safer, and more convenient for people to get around by walking or cycling.”
Simon O’Brien, Liverpool City Region’s active travel commissioner, said: “If you will forgive the pun, Liverpool is truly at a crossroads with regard to the future of how we move around our city.
“I feel very excited about the new positive approach of the council supported by the combined authority”, he continued.
“I have seen elsewhere that if you give people proper alternatives then they will happily switch from car to bike, foot, train, and bus for those shorter journeys.”
The draft transport plan has been developed as part of the emerging Local Transport Plan, which is due to be published later this year.
References
- ^ draft transport plan (councillors.liverpool.gov.uk)
- ^ designed by architects Mott Macdonald and Owen Ellis (www.placenorthwest.co.uk)
- ^ seven new permanent cycles lanes (www.placenorthwest.co.uk)