Liverpool's streets are set to be made safer to walk and cycle on thanks to a new project.
Residents in the Lodge Lane area of Toxteth, will help to design safer, healthier and more attractive streets as part of the ‘By Ours’ project.
‘By Ours’ is a partnership project with Sustrans, Liverpool City Council (LCC), St Helens Borough Council, Wirral Council and Liverpool City Region, funded by the Freshfield Foundation.
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Households and schools in a one square mile area around Lodge Lane will receive a survey through their doors which can be accessed online too.
A survey will gather views about what people like and dislike about their neighbourhood with questions topics to include: safety, accessibility, traffic levels and green spaces.
The aim is to make neighbourhoods safer and more pleasant for everyone while improving health and wellbeing.
There are three stages in 2022 starting with gathering ideas via drop in and surveys in spring. In summer designers will shape ideas for local people to comment on and improve and in autumn the designs will be showcased at a community event.
Drop in events start at Granby Street Market, February 5 from 10 - 3pm. The Coffee Lodge, 57 Lodge Lane, February 9 from 9 - 2pm and finally, on February 16, at the Unitarian Church, 57 Ullet Road from 4 - 9pm.
Part of the project is to improve the safety and air quality for children and adults alike as part of a drive for cleaner air, a global initiative, further highlighted at the 2021 Climate Change Conference (COP 26) held in Glasgow.
Sustrans project officer, Paul Riley said: "We’re excited to launch ‘By Ours’ in Lodge Lane.
“We aim to work with all sections of the community to ensure our streets are working for different age groups, abilities, families, ethnic minorities and disabled people.
“Everyone’s views are important and will help us understand what local people need to make their streets feel safer, healthier and more attractive".
Liverpool Councillor Dan Barrington, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting Sustrans in this community led design of a vibrant neighbourhood, which places clean air at its heart.
"I’m keen to see how this project develops to see what lessons we can learn for the whole of Liverpool to benefit from".
Parts of this area already have new bike lanes in place (Princes Boulevard) with plans for more.
Kingsley Road, on a trial basis, has a bike lane and a new one way system as part of an unconnected initiative in the area with a consultation process to take place with residents.
Sustrans partnership also wants to encourage people to move away from driving to fight air pollution.
Ibe Hayter, founder of Cycle of Life, an Everyday Climate Hero (as part of COP 26) said: "I’m glad the initiative is taking place. I hope it will improve road safety and increase business in the area.
"Air quality is an issue which affects all of us and hopefully this initiative will make a difference.
"It's important the business community on Lodge Lane feel they are part of the process and their voices and opinions are heard".
Granby 4 Streets CLT Acting Chair, Theresa MacDermott said: "It’s important to find out what the community wants to develop our streets so they are safer and there are more places to play and socialise.
"I’ve completed their survey, it takes a few minutes so I’d urge everyone to do the same".
Youth worker at the Unity Youth Club, Julie Smith said: “Sustrans have been working with the children who are passionate about changes.
“They listened to the young people's ideas about improving roads and how we use them to improve health and air quality for the community and environment”.
L8 A Better Place community development worker Joe Ramsden said: "Pleased when Sustrans contacted us about their plans. Some of our activists have ambitions to make our streets great spaces for both children and adults.
"Sustrans coming into the area was good timing and they have made a concerted effort to consult as many community groups as possible".
Resident Jimmi Jagney said: "This development is long overdue but at least reassuring.
“Cars line the entire length of narrow streets parked awkwardly from front to tail and the afternoon traffic flow along Lodge Lane is abysmally slow.
“We're impatient and Sustrans promises to drive through meaningful change in accord with the resident's wishes.
Let's hope the Council steps up a couple of gears and finally gets things really moving!"
For more information and to access the survey visit www.by-ours-lodgelane.org.uk or the Sustrans website.
