Local people now have more time to give their views online about Southport’s new Liveable Neighbourhood project.
The scheme aims to reduce traffic and increase cycling and walking in a large part of Southport between Lord Street and Cemetery Road.
Sefton Council and the charity Sustrans say the plans do not include any pedestrianisation of Shakespeare Street as they looked to quash local rumours.
They have extended the survey deadline due to pandemic restrictions.
Contributions to the digital hub http://www.sustrans.org.uk/SouthportLN were due to end on 3 January but have now been extended until 21 February as other events and activities to gather views have been put on hold during the current lockdown.
Opinions and ideas are central to create new street designs
Opinions and ideas from the local community, schools and businesses are central to create new street designs for the neighbourhood, which stretches between Lord Street and Cemetery Road. It aims to make the area safer and healthier for people to walk, cycle or use a wheelchair for local shops and services. Over 600 people have already contributed to Tell Us About Your Street survey through the post or online.
There have also been four online engagement events for local residents and businesses. Find out what people said in the workshops so far here https://sln-sustrans-uk.hub.arcgis.com/pages/what-you-told-us.
Current national lockdown restrictions mean that further face to face meetings and workshops, which are part of the process to gather views from all sections of the community, have been postponed.
The community will have a chance to comment on each stage of the design process via online workshops and surveys through the post or on the phone. In addition school children from eight schools in the area will survey their own streets and contribute ideas through activities and workshops.
Sustrans’ urban designers use the ideas from the survey and work with local residents to develop a new look street design, which will help reduce rat-running traffic and accidents in the area, and create a more attractive environment for residents and customers.
Workshops to feedback the results of the surveys and initial meetings and to start to develop designs for the area will take place at the beginning of March. There will be further chance for people to have their say before a trial of the new designs.
‘This community endeavour will help make our borough clean, green and beautiful’
Cllr John Fairclough, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Locality Services, said: “The Liveable Neighbourhoods Project is a completely community led endeavour to help make our borough clean, green and beautiful in order to protect the health and wellbeing of our residents.
“We want to get as many views as possible and now people have longer to take part. I would encourage everyone to give their feedback on the project so that we can ensure it is shaped and designed in the most beneficial way to everyone.”
“We are working closely with Sustrans to ensure that we are consulting everyone in the community where the Liveable Neighbourhoods scheme would be, from schoolchildren to business owners.”
‘There are no plans to pedestrianise Shakespeare Street on the table’
Ali Dore from Sustrans said: “We’ve had a great response so far to the survey so if you haven’t had a chance to give your views please do go online and have your say.
“We can’t operate our usual face to face meetings at workshops at the moment due to pandemic restrictions but we are working hard to try and reach a broad section of the community through postal and online activity.
“Rumours have spread that plans include the pedestrianisation of Shakespeare Street.
“The project team would like to reassure the community there are currently no designs on the table – this stage is all about listening to people that work, live, learn and visit the area to find out the issues people face and how they would like to see the area improved.”
Please give your views about streets in Southport Liveable Neighbourhood or find out how you can get involved with the project HERE
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