WORK has started installing Liverpool’s third pop-up cycle lane, connecting the city centre with Bootle.
The temporary 2.5 mile ‘Liverpool Loop North’ route comes into town from Bootle New Strand via Stanley Road, Commercial Road and Vauxhall Road into Hatton Garden and Dale Street.
It is one of seven which will eventually be rolled out across the city to create a 65 mile long network designed to get people using more sustainable forms of transport.
A three mile long branch from West Derby Road – along the eastern corridor into the city centre – has been operating since May, and attracted 12,500 cycle journeys from the start of July until the middle of August. A second route from historic Sefton Park to the city centre was completed in June.
The city council’s Cabinet approved a £4m fund to create the segregated pop-up cycle lanes as a response to the Covid-19 impact on people’s travel plans. A key aim of Liverpool’s new pop-up routes is to connect people to the city’s permanent cycle network.
Liverpool’s pop-up seven are:
• Route 1 – West Derby Road – Kensington – City South
• Route 2 – Sefton Park to City Centre – Sefton Park perimeter – Sefton Park Road
• Route 3 – Liverpool Loop North: Bootle New Strand – Bank Hall – Vauxhall – City Centre
• Route 4 – East Lancs – Townsend – Breck Road – City Centre
• Route 5 – East Prescot Road – University Hospital – London Road – City Centre
• Route 6 – (University Route): Gateacre – Woolton Road – Wavertree – Lawrence Road – Crown Street – Myrtle Street – City Centre
• Route 7 – Liverpool Loop South: Hale – Speke Boulevard – Garston Village – Aigburth Road – City Centre
Funding for the pop-up cycle lanes is to be sourced from the council’s highways investment programme and via the Emergency Active Travel Fund established by the Department of Transport.
A further £100,000 has been identified to invest in upgrading infrastructure for Liverpool’s existing CityBike hire scheme.
The proposed £4m pop-up cycling fund is part of a wider £15.5m investment in a new phase of Liverpool’s £500m Better Roads programme.
In addition, the council is currently overseeing a £45m upgrade to city centre connectivity and is introducing 7 miles of new permanent cycle lanes. It is also about to look at expanding its 20mph zones to further improve safety and air pollution.
• To promote cycling in the city, the public are being asked to come forward with ideas on how to improve access for cyclists and pedestrians.
People are encouraged to post their views online at: https://liveablestreetsliverpool.commonplace.is/
They can also ask questions via email at cyclingwalking@liverpool.gov.uk
Councillor Sharon Connor, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “This is a real change in promoting how people travel around Liverpool.
“The pop-up lanes are a temporary solution but we are also looking at investing in the permanent cycling network because it is an enjoyable and affordable way to travel – and a great way to improve your body, your mind and the environment.
“This is about creating connected cycling routes around the city, giving bike users dedicated space on the highway.”
Simon O’Brien, Liverpool’s Cycling Commissioner, added: “The ongoing Covid Pandemic means we must reassess our future travel plans to help those vulnerable people already affected by high levels of air pollution and poor health due to inactivity, as well as those understandably nervous about using public transport. On top of all that we are engaged in a Climate Emergency.
“These temporary lanes are a real start to combatting all these difficult issues are city is facing. Liverpool City Council is leading from the front in the fight to improve the lives of the people of our region. Keep riding, get riding, to help make our city a better place to live. We must act now.”
