A controversial cycle lane upgrade in Seacombe is expected to get approval from Wirral Council despite opposition.
The £1.3m cycle lane, which runs along Birkenhead Road, could see some major changes under council proposals to upgrade the footpath and cycle lane and remove parking spaces on the east side of the road.
Wirral Council said this will make things safer as people won’t need to cross the road to their parked cars and remove issues at a bus stop along the current cycle and walking route.
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However it has proved controversial with some businesses on the road arguing the loss of parking spaces could lead to closure of nearby industries.
More than 670 people objected to the proposals across two petitions while dozens more put across their feelings in a formal consultation. Around 450 people have backed the plans.
Ben Furfie who started the petition calling for approval said: “This is about so much more than cycling or walking. This scheme represents a brighter vision for the future of Wirral and would ensure we continue our trajectory towards being a healthier, safer, and more prosperous place to live, and an exciting and welcoming place to visit.
“Delaying or cancelling this project would not only see Wirral Council betraying our climate change commitments but would represent a profound failure of the Council in serving the long term interests of its residents.”
However one of those against the scheme in the consultation said: “Parking on this road is already ridiculous, and in some cases dangerous. More parking bays are needed, never mind taking them away.
“There is already a cycle track on the pavement, creating a second would be an absolute waste of public funds that could be put back into other improvements in the area.
“There are small businesses along Birkenhead Road that will also be affected due to the difficulty in parking. I am shocked that this is even open to debate”
The scheme will provide new parking bays on the west side of the road and new pedestrian crossings but the council said the scheme would result in the overall lose of 57 metres of parking spaces.
However they said people could park on other streets if Birkenhead Road is full.
Councillors are recommended to approve the scheme at an Economy, Regeneration and Housing committee on March 8 after it was first proposed on October 2022.
Funding from the scheme will come from the European Regional Development Fund as well as funding from the Liverpool City Region. It will not come out of the council’s own finances. If the funding isn’t approved, it could see the council liable for costs of more than £147,000 and the money has to be spent before June 2023.
The cycle lane will be part of the council’s Birkenhead 2040 framework given its proximity to major developments like Wirral Waters as well as the government’s targets to double cycling and increase walking across the UK.
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