A local councillor has called for a halt in Sefton Council’s rush to introduce expensive projects purporting to ease cycling – in the wake of a High Court ruling against similar schemes in London.
Keen cyclist, Councillor Tony Dawson, who represents Southport’s town centre on Sefton Council, is demanding that measures to improve cycling and walking should only be brought in after being properly thought out and consulted on with local residents and traders and their elected representatives. He has written to ask the Council to not bring in extra measures until there are genuine and sensible consultation measures taken in the town..
“There was no consultation at all when Sefton Council grabbed at a government grant and imposed cycling schemes thought up in a hurry by one or two council officers late last year,” Councillor Dawson says, “and intentions have been announced to bring in considerably more cycle lanes, again in a hurry.”
“It is quite possible that one or two of the measures already brought in might potentially be useful in a properly-thought out cycling scheme in Southport. Or there might be better routes. There are certainly also various other alternatives which need proper consideration. Money is tighter than ever at the moment and should not be thrown around willy-nilly.”
“It is very unlikely that any scheme would be agreed with by everyone but every person has a right to have their views heard and considered – especially when it affects their homes or businesses.”
“That is what democracy is about and we have been totally deprived of this so far.”
“Non-cyclists and cyclists need to respect each others’ perspectives, not treat the issue as if it was some kind of war. We need measures which assist those who would like to cycle safely to do so while not being detrimental to others. And accountable elected Southport councillors should be permitted to voice the balance of views of all the local interests in the making of any decisions.”
Lib Dem Councillor Pat Keith has also put a question down for answer by the Cabinet Member at tonight’s (21 January) Sefton Council meeting concerning the lack of consultation over cycling measures being implemented by the Council.
Lib Dem leader Councillor John Pugh has also asked the government minister in charge of cycling to come to town to see the effects of hurriedly-introduced cycle lanes on the streets of parts of Southport. For a bit of fun, he has photoshopped Boris Johnson onto the Hoghton Street cycle lane (below).
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