The people of Liverpool have just one more week to make their voices heard on a hattrick of proposed cycle lanes in the city centre.
Liverpool City Council's public consultation regarding the three permanent lanes, which are planned for East Lancashire Road, Gateacre, and Sefton Park, closes today following a month of debate.
If approved, the new lanes will run from Norris Green to Breck Road and on to Everton Park, from the university campuses to the Knowledge Quarter, and from the Ropewalks to the Baltic Triangle and on to Dingle and Aigburth.
READ MORE: Consultation launched on new city cycle lanes
The proposals are part of the council's Active Travel programme, which aims to fill gaps in the existing cycle lane network while also improving footpaths and pedestrian crossings.
The £3m development also includes i mproving 30 access points along the Liverpool Loop Line , which runs 16km through the city from Halewood to Aintree.
Councillor Dan Barrington, cabinet member for environment and climate change, said: “Liverpool’s cycling offer is not yet where it should be – but thanks to this investment we are moving in the right direction.
“These three new permanent cycle lanes have the potential to make a big difference to thousands of people who live and work in these areas because they make the crucial connection to other cycle routes.
“Joining up the routes and closing the gaps and breaks in our cycling network is a critical piece of work and I’m really delighted with the designs to open up the Liverpool Loop Line as that will be truly transformational for getting around the city by bike."
Funding for the cycles lanes comes from the European Union, the Department for Transport, Liverpool City Region and planning contributions from the city council’s Section 106 fund.
A six-week long consultation was launched on August 1, and comes to an end on Friday, September 16.
Coun Barrington said: “With each new update we do more journeys are going to be continuous which makes cycling a more practical option, a whole lot more pleasurable and most importantly, safer. The planned improvements to footpaths will also make it better for pedestrians too.
“This consultation is just the start of this particular chapter in our journey to being a first class cycling city. And it won’t be too long before these new permanent lanes are operational, like those on The Strand and as we see today on Lime Street too.
“Rebalancing the shift away from cars to more active travel is going to be fundamental for any city in its pursuit in tackling climate change. It will have a huge impact on us all, in terms of physical and mental well-being and collectively for its benefits to our air quality and overall environment.
“The work won’t stop with these three routes. There’s more to come. And with better facilities too for our children to learn how to ride, like at Everton Park, we’re sowing the seeds for the next generation to be even more cycle-minded and laying the foundation for a real revolution in how Liverpool gets moving.”
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