Pop-up cycle lanes in Southport town centre are back in force again

Restrictions on cars on a number of Southport town centre roads will be brought back into force from this Friday (29th July 2022). 

The rules on routes including Queens Road, Hoghton Street and Chapel Street are designed to make it more convenient for people cycling and walking to and from the town centre. 

They were originally introduced on 21st August 2020 as pop-up cycle lanes, in an urgent response to changing habits as the Covid-19 pandemic struck the UK. 

The creation of the ‘Southport Emergency Active Travel Route’ was brought as a response to more people cycling and walking since the Coronavirus pandemic hit the UK in March 2020. 

It was funded through the Government’s Active Fund. 

The new Temporary Restriction Order will continue in force for a maximum period of 18 months or until the facility is no longer required, whichever is the earlier

The traffic restrictions have lapsed in recent weeks, resulting in the no car signs on Queens Road being covered in black bin bags and taped up, with cars once again allowed through. 

The new restrictions will now be back in force. 

An Arriva bus operates on Queens Road in Southport, where pop-up cycle lanes have been installed Photo by Andrew Brown Media

A Sefton Council spokesperson said: “A temporary traffic regulation order (TTRO) for Queen’s Road, Southport will come into effect from July 29. The order will prohibit all southwestbound vehicle traffic from Park Road, as well as north-eastbound from the junction with Manchester Road. 

“This temporary order does not apply to busses or pedal cycles and is done so in conjunction with a number of cycle lane installations in the town centre. 

“Motorists are advised a diversion route is in place via Alexandra Road and Leyland Road.”

It means that: 

• Chapel Street, Tulketh Street and Wesley Street – Cyclists will be allowed under a ‘Share with Care Space’. This is an area that is shared with people walking and cycling and we will be encouraging people to take notice of the other people in this area.
• Queens Road – No through traffic for cars and taxis will be restricted which will make the street quieter for people living along the street and make it better to walk and cycle along. This applies between the junctions between Manchester Road and Park Road.
• Hoghton Street – Segregated cycle lanes on both sides of the street, which will remove parking along both sides and create a safe route for cycling. The bus stop and disabled parking bays will be retained.
• Talbot Street – No vehicles, except bicycles from entering Talbot Street at its junction with Belmont street in a north-eastbound direction; 2.
  No vehicles except bicycles from exiting Talbot Street at the junction with Eastbank Street
  Suspend Pay & Display on Talbot Street between Portland Street and St Andrew’s Place, and replace it with ‘no waiting at any time’;
  Waiting restrictions on the south-east side of Talbot Street, between Portland Street and Duke Street, limiting waiting to a maximum of 2 hours
• Temporary Covid Parklets, Lord Street Service Road. The proposed temporary closure of Court Road, Southport will extend from the junction at the crossroads where Court Road enters Lord Street and the junction with Union Street.

Cycling on Chapel Street in Southport town centre. Photo by Andrew Brown Media

Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Locality Services Cllr John Fairclough said when the rules were initially implemented: “Our vision for Sefton is a confident and connected borough, where people can enjoy the use of many cycle and walking friendly routes.”

The scheme was carried out by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Sefton Council and MetroActive. 

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