Major changes are on the way for the Promenade area of Southport, to create “a high quality, well-connected public space” which will accommodate large numbers of visitors due once Southport Pier and the Marine Lake Events Centre are open.
The high changes coming under ‘Les Transformations de Southport; Phase 2’ follows Phase 1 of the scheme, which saw the £6.25 million transformation of Eastbank Street, Market Street and King Street last year.
The changes being proposed in the Promenade area will be outlined during a Sefton Council Licensing Committee meeting next Monday (8th June 2026).
Pending the approval by councillors next week, the detailed design stage and pre construction will take place in Spring/Summer 2026.
Further engagement with local businesses and residents is planned, which will include information about delivery phasing and construction traffic management.
The scheme is due to be completed in March 2028.
The proposed changes include:
- Installation of new, high quality paving, seating, planting and improvements to street furniture on the Promenade between Nevill Street and Seabank Road
- Retention of heritage type lamp columns on the Promenade.
- Changes to the Marine Parade / Promenade junction to remove the right-turn lane from the Promenade into Marine Parade. This is intended to improve traffic flow with the pedestrian improvements and crossings. Traffic from Marine Parade will be able to turn left and right-turn into the Promenade
- Widening of the pavement on Nevill Street and installation of high quality paving, lighting, planting and improvements to street furniture
- Changing Nevill Street to become one-way westbound towards the Promenade from West Street and include a contra-flow cycle lane. It will remain two-way between West Street and Lord Street. For Maritime Court car park users, drivers leaving the car park will be able to turn left or right into Nevill Street
- Change Nevill Street junction with the Promenade to become left-turn into the Promenade only. The Nevill Street / Promenade junction will no longer have traffic signals, which will enable the free-flow of traffic from Nevill Street onto the Promenade.
- Change the Promenade central grass verge to a two-way segregated cycle lane, including pedestrian and cycle signage
- Change the Bold Street junction with the Promenade to become one-way southbound from the Promenade. Bold Street will remain two-way between Back Bath Street and Lord Street.
A Sefton Council report says: “The Southport Promenade proposal is phase 2 of Les Transformations de Southport, which will improve access and public realm on routes that connect with major development proposals, such as Marine Lake Events Centre (MLEC) and the Pier reopening.
“Safely accommodating the anticipated visitor footfall is important and the Promenade proposal will create a high quality, well-connected public space for people, coach and taxi drop-off, business deliveries and general traffic.
“The width of the Promenade provides the space to improve the visual quality of the Waterfront amenity, whilst best accommodating for all users.
“As a large multi-purpose venue for events, conferences and performances, the Marine Lake Events Centre is expected to generate substantial increases in both day and overnight visitors.
“The MLEC design provides for a 142 space pay and display car park with on-street taxi and coach drop-off, disabled parking and high-quality public realm.
“Both MLEC and the Pier reopening will make the footways on the Promenade very busy at times. In addition, traffic maneuvering in and out of drop-off and parking bays add to the rationale to segregate cyclists in a central lane. This facility also enables the highway design to align with key funding objectives for sustainable travel whilst retaining as much on-street parking as possible.”
The report adds: ““The key reason for the proposed changes is the expected increases in pedestrian footfall from the Marine Lake Events Centre development and Pier reopening.
“MLEC will be a daytime and evening attraction. Customers are expected to arrive by car, coach, taxi, public transport and active travel. This, in addition to the Pier re-opening, requires the Promenade to safely accommodate pedestrians, customer drop-off and parking, whilst being conscientious of local residents, business access and loading needs.
“It is aimed to have the scheme delivered for the opening of the MLEC.”
It is proposed to be constructed and delivered using TCR capital funding. TCR funding is the follow-on five-year allocation to the Liverpool City Region from 2027 to 2032.
In terms of accessibility and inclusion, the report says: “The demographic profile of Sefton shows an increasing older population.
“The proportion of people aged 65 and over in Sefton has increased by around 10%.
“The existing promenade corridor suffers from narrow, uneven footways, poor crossings and a vehicle-dominated layout. This creates barriers for people with limited mobility, families with children, and those using wheelchairs or prams.
“There is a need for better and modern public-realm facilities, wider footways, provision of continuous step-free routes and the creation of an environment that prioritises safety for all.”
Any objections arising from this process will be brought back to the Licensing and Regulatory Committee for consideration.
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