Work has begun on a £1million scheme to transform a key link between Lord Street and the Promenade in Southport.
Workers and mechanical diggers are now on site at Scarisbrick Avenue, a busy nightlife hub, as the planned regeneration works on the busy thoroughfare takes place.
The works will be carried out in a phased approach and will take approximately 16 weeks to complete, with the transformation due to be complete in time for a busy summer season.
Access will be maintained to all businesses and residential properties throughout.
These plans by Sefton Council involve the replacement of the existing surface with beautiful York Stone paving along the entire length of Scarisbrick Avenue.
Construction will also take place on upgrading the pedestrian crossing points at West Street and The Promenade.
A total of £920,000 has been allocated for the project via the Government’s Highways Challenge Fund grant and Sefton’s Growth Programme.
All access is currently maintained but later on in the project people can expect to see some road closures. Sefton Council will announce those in plenty of time so there is minimal disruption.
People are being encouraged to support the local businesses on Scarisbrick Avenue while the work takes place.
Sefton Council’s package of works worth nearly £1million will create new, high quality York Stone paving, enhanced street lighting, improved pedestrian crossings, environmental additions and rejuvenated signage and CCTV equipment.
The route is home to some superb independent local businesses including Avenue, Spender’s, Chop House, the Dolphin Chippy, Hideaway, Concept Food Bar and others, in addition to the side of The Scarisbrick Hotel.
Spender’s bar owners Paul and Chantelle Drewery said: “We’re very excited and it will make a huge difference to this very important part of the town!”
It is hoped the scheme will greatly improve the popular walkway, which connects the heart of Southport Town Centre with the Promenade and seafront, ultimately complementing the ongoing work of both the Southport Town Deal and the Southport Townscape Heritage Project.
Cllr Daren Veidman, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Building Control said: “Scarisbrick Avenue has seen an increase in footfall since 2020 with the addition of the impressive Red Rum mural, painted by famous local artist Paul Curtis, as part of the local authority’s Sefton’s Borough of Culture celebrations.
“The fantastic work of the Townscape Heritage Project team, along with the brilliant long term vision and successes we’re already seeing from the Southport Town Deal are creating a positive future for the town and these works on Scarisbrick Avenue are a much welcomed addition to those projects.”
Cllr John Fairclough, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Locality Services, said:
“Scarisbrick Avenue is one of three main routes connecting Lord Street with the Promenade and its popularity over time has led to some significant wear and tear.
“It has been a long standing ambition to secure funding to make improvements and we are delighted that we are now in a position to do so.
“The Southport Town Deal recognises the importance of high quality public spaces and the connections between the town centre and the seafront areas as major contributors to the future success of the town.
“These improvements to Scarisbrick Avenue were identified as one of the projects the council was committed to delivering that would complement the proposals in the successful Town Deal bid and the Townscape Heritage Project.”
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