The plans are likely to be controversial
The plans are likely to be controversial
Wirral Council has published a map of where it wants to put 28 cycle lanes across the borough and when this is likely to happen. The network would be delivered in phases with 12 routes planned in the next seven years.
The “ambitious” Core Active Travel Network or CATN will be up for debate at an environment, climate emergency, and transport committee meeting on January 27. Councillors will consider feedback from 1,130 people.
Nearly 64% of those surveyed were against the plans with nearly 27% in favour. Nearly 500 of the comments came from Wallasey following a poster campaign by two Conservative councillors there with 93% of people in the area against the plans.
The local authority said it had shifted the priority of some plans “to reflect concerns raised,” adding: “These changes will mean, in some cases, further assessment, gathering of data and community engagement will need to be carried out before proposals can be considered for implementation.”
Wirral Council’s idea behind the network is “to establish a long-term, joined-up, comprehensive active travel network which will provide residents with a choice of safe travel options” promoting walking and cycling over short distances and other everyday journeys. The network is “to be introduced in a planned and phased manner up to the year 2032 initially, set within a wider, ambitious plan in the longer term.”
The local authority argues the schemes will “provide safety benefits for all road users with schools, high streets and main roads on the network benefiting from improved crossings and junctions and improvements to footways, facilities for cyclists, pedestrian and cycle crossing facilities, improved surfacing, seating and planting.” The funding for these schemes would be delivered through external funding and does not come from services funded by Council Tax meaning it is unrelated to the council’s critical financial position.
According to the latest map, Wirral Council currently plans to deliver two new cycle routes in the next two years. These are on Duke Street and from Argyle Street down to Woodside as part of regeneration plans in those areas.
Despite the Birkenhead to Liscard cycle route being approved to move forward by the committee in 2024, this route has now been pushed back to be delivered alongside the rest of the routes in central Birkenhead by 2032. Other routes that have been pushed back include the Dock Branch Park and Hind Street.
However some routes have been extended since the initial plans were put forward. A cycle route is now proposed running along Breck Road going past Weatherhead High School while Meols Drive between Hoylake and West Kirby and a section of Telegraph Road in central Heswall have been included.
Many of the routes won’t be delivered for at least seven years. Routes going through Wallasey Village, Moreton, Leasowe, Meols, Hoylake, West Kirby, Greasby, Hoylake, Pensby, Prenton, Bebington, Heswall, and New Brighton will now be delivered after 2032.
Councillors are being asked to note the comments and approve this revised plan. A report said not approving it would go against council plans including those to regenerate Birkenhead and the network will help the local authority bid for government and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority funding.
The report said: “Failure to deliver improved active travel infrastructure could result in reputational issues for the Council in terms of its commitment to active travel and achieving net zero which could result in future funding allocations being reduced or funding not being able to be secured by the Council. Funding for active travel schemes cannot be used for any other purpose.”
However the plans are likely to continue to attract controversy with one petition in Wallasey being signed by over 1,300 people so far. A number of businesses in Wallasey previously raised concerns that a route running past could put them out of business.
