A new ‘green spine’ including a two-way cycle lane and thousands of plans could be installed along the centre of The Promenade in Southport as a way of improving the area in front of the new Marine Lake Events Centre.
The project, the second phase of Sefton Council’s ‘Les Transformation de Southport’ project, has been carefully designed to generate less through traffic, create space for much-needed improvements to public areas and provide additional pedestrian facilities.
Sefton says that “a key element of the plan is to formalise the central reservation on The Promenade, transforming it into a green spine.
“This new feature will enhance the environment, create a dedicated cycling route, and help prevent traffic from cutting through residential streets in the town centre.”
Works would see new spaces created for taxis, disabled parking, drop-off areas, and coach bays. This will help people get to the MLEC by these modes of travel.
Eight new pedestrian crossings will be added for people walking.
Work is currently taking place to create the new £73 million Marine Lake Events Centre, which is estimated to attract over 515,000 additional visitors into Southport town centre every year and generate an extra £18 million for the local economy.
The Promenade proposal aims to make it easier to walk, cycle, or take the train when making a journey to the MLEC.
Sefton Council says:
- We want to make it easy to get to the MLEC with safer routes and public space.
- We want better ways to travel between the town centre and the seafront.
- The plans will connect with local cycling and walking routes.
Why are public realm, walking and cycling improvements good?
Sefton says that making it easy for people to walk and cycle is important for the success of the MLEC and the seafront. It helps people to stay healthy and reduces traffic and pollution for the benefit of pedestrians.
Improving public spaces supports people wanting to visit the town centre. This can lead to more shopping and spending. Better design using greenery can also help with capturing rainwater and make the area more pleasant for everyone.
What will happen to traffic movements?
This project has been carefully designed to generate less through traffic, creating space for much-needed improvements to public areas and pedestrian facilities.
A key element of the plan is to formalise the central reservation on The Promenade, transforming it into a green spine. This new feature will enhance the environment, create a dedicated cycling route, and help prevent traffic from cutting through residential streets in the town centre. Additionally, limited junction movements at the Promenade/Marine Parade intersection will help reduce waiting times for both pedestrians and motorists.
The key changes are as follows:
- Nevill Street will only allow cars to go one way north, past West Street.
- The Promenade will change to have a middle section with a cycle path. This will stop cars from cutting through Bath Street and keep cyclists safe.
- Marine Parade will only let cars turn left onto the Promenade and left into Marine Parade from the Promenade.
- The top part of Bold Street will change to only allow traffic to go southbound from the Promenade.
- Parking on the Promenade will be organised on the south side to provide sixteen parking spaces for cars.
- There will be new spaces for taxis, disabled parking, drop-off areas, and coach bays. This will help people get to the MLEC by these modes of travel.
- Eight new pedestrian crossings will be added for people walking. Some will have traffic lights, and some will not.
- The road will be narrower on the Promenade to give more space for pedestrians.
What is happening to the landscape design?
The landscape design of the project builds on the benefits brought by the highway changes, which will include wider footways due to narrower carriageways and additional crossing points. Sign posts, street lighting and parking facilities will be improved. Similar to Lord Street, greenery such as trees and grasses will be planted along the length of the Promenade to make the street. This will soften the appearance of the Promenade and add character. Key interventions include:
- New paving, signs and direction information will be provided. New trees and grasses will be planted. The new trees and grass will make the area greener and more pleasant.
- New tree and grass planting.
- Cycle lanes and bike parking will be provided. This is good for health and the environment.
- The traditional lighting columns will stay. They help keep the area’s character. There will be new seating areas to sit and rest, such as benches.
- Tactile paving will be provided in some areas near the road crossings. This will help people who are blind or partially sighted.
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