New Southport transport interchange, an e-shuttle service and redesigning Lord Street schemes revealed

Building a brand new bus, rail and cycling interchange and a new electric shuttle bus linking Lord Street with the waterfront area are among ideas being considered by Southport Town Deal. 

They also want to see continued lobbying for better rail services between Southport, Manchester and Preston as part of the Northern Hub rail project; the development of a new multi-storey car park in the town centre; and upgrading the Coastal Road to an A road.

Pedestrians would benefit by rerouting traffic away from Lord Street; redesigning the roadspace along Lord Street with dedicated cycle lanes in both directions and to making the pavement wider in places; and redesigning Nevill Street and Scarisbrick Avenue top give more space for people walking. 

Southport is close to the major cities of the North west, its mainline railway stations and international airports. The quality of its transport connections to the wider region and beyond are critical to ensuring access to business, visitor and job markets.

Here are some of the ideas considered, with people invited to have your say at:  https://yourseftonyoursay.sefton.gov.uk/futuresouthport/

The Southport Town Deal strategy for the town centre is shown on the plan and the Big Ideas are described in words and pictures below. The images used are for illustrative purposes.

Big ideas for change…

1. Development of modern interchange facilities that encourage greater use of sustainable forms of transport

2. Lobby for better rail services between Southport, Manchester and Preston as part of the Northern Hub rail project

3. Provision of an electric shuttle bus (e-shuttle) linking the new interchange with the Waterfront attractions and Lord Street

4. Investment in electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the town centre, and as a feature of new car parking facilities and major developments

5. Development of a new multi storey car park

6. Re-route through traffic away from Lord Street to make this a more pedestrian and cycle friendly route

7. Redesign the roadspace along Lord Street to incorporate dedicated cycle lanes in both directions and to make the pavement wider in places to assist in safe and comfortable crossing. On street parking provision for bikes as well as short stay parking to be integrated in to the design

8. Upgrade Coastal Road to an A Road to accommodate through traffic

9. Redesign Nevill Street and the junction of Nevill Street and the Promenade to give more space to pedestrians

10. Improve the quality of Scarisbrick Avenue as a key pedestrian route to the waterfront

11. Redesign the Promenade to make this a pedestrian and cycle friendly route and to strengthen connections between the town centre and the waterfront

12. Create a series of “destination streets”, including the central section of Lord Street, Chapel Street, Eastbank Street and King Street where the public realm is enhanced and the pedestrian is given priority

13. Create new “park and change” facilities at the former Kew Park and Ride site, Southport Business Park and Ainsdale-on-Sea to enable interchange between cars and bikes

14. Make improvements to Meols Cop Road to reduce congestion and queuing

What people have told Southport Town Deal about transport issues in Southport:

• The town lacks an interchange

• Rail services to Manchester are poor and discourage use of public transport
• There are no direct rail services to Preston and Central Lancashire
• Lord Street is the main A Road through the town, making it a busy and congested 
• There are issues of congestion in the Kew area (for example along  Meols Cop Road)
• The town centre lacks a modern multi storey car park and convenient parking for long stay
• Retaining on street parking on Lord Street is important to support businesses
• Parking charges are perceived to be relatively high within the town centre for residents
• Pedestrian and cycle links from the town centre to the beach could be improved
• The town lacks publicly accessible charging points for electric vehicles

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