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Author: Ollie Cowan

Have YOUR say on improvements to Southport Eastern Access routes

21 February 2022
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Essential Sefton, Featured Friendship News, Front Page, Latest News

Sefton Council is seeking views from Southport residents and visitors over potential improvements to the town’s key eastern access routes.

The proposed Southport Eastern Access Improvements scheme seeks to improve the road and pedestrian network between the town centre and the Southport Road border in Kew.

Improvements would look to ease congestion issues for motorists, while also seeking to revamp cycling and pedestrian infrastructure at the eastern approach to the town.

The areas within the Southport Eastern Access Improvements scheme include:

Kew Roundabout
Southport Road
Foul Lane
Scarisbrick New Road
Norwood Road

Improvements to Southport’s eastern travel routes have been the subject of discussion since the 1960s and now Sefton Council’s Transport Planning team are working on a business case to make these changes a reality.

Cllr John Fairclough, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Locality Services, said: “To make any potential changes and improvements we need the vital knowledge and views of those who live near and use these routes every single day.

“We want to make sure any plans will best capture the views of residents, businesses, schools and visitors to Southport. That insight will help us deliver and develop our proposals and subsequent designs.

“Southport is a key cornerstone in the borough’s economic growth plans and an improved streetscene and transport network in the East will contribute massively towards this.”

The main benefits of the proposed scheme would:

Ease congestion on key routes including Scarisbrick New Road
Ease instances of ‘rat running’ around areas such as Norwood Road, Meols Cop Road & Butts Lane
Improving access to Kew Retail Park
Improving walking and cycling links to the town centre.

Cll Fairclough continued: “We remain committed to improving our streets and transport network across Sefton to support our Sefton 2030 Vision and address the climate change emergency.

“I would encourage everyone to take part and give us your views.”

To give your views on this scheme visit  https://yourseftonyoursay.sefton.gov.uk/investment-programmes-and-infrastructure/southport-eastern-access-improvements

Community groups urged to bid for new SeftonCrowd funding

21 February 2022
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Essential Sefton, Featured Friendship News, Front Page, Latest News

An incredible community led scheme which funds ideas that create more vibrant, resilient and connected communities is set to return for 2022.

The community project funding opportunity is part of Sefton Crowd, a council initiative that aims to give anyone who lives locally with ideas about how to improve their area the opportunity to gain funding via the UK’s leading civic crowdfunding platform Spacehive.

The aim is simple – to fund and deliver exciting and innovative ideas to improve Sefton put forward by the local community, for the local community.

The council has an allocated a dedicated fund of £50,000 for projects taking part in the programme, where there is an opportunity for local projects to get a pledge from the Council of up to £5,000

Now groups are being invited to submit their ideas for new projects by April 27, 2022. Successful projects will support Sefton Council’s 2030 Vision, but this year we are also looking to support projects that look to help residents and communities in tackling the climate change crisis in Sefton.

From wildflower meadows to virtual music festivals, Sefton Crowd is helping people bring their ideas to life.

A spokesperson for Everton Volleyball, who benefited hugely from Sefton Crowd, said “”The support from the council is a real boost for the team that has been working so hard on the campaign!

“We will be able to do amazing things for the community and all the members will be super grateful”.

The deadline to put forward your idea for this Round is Wednesday 27th April.

Spacehive will also lead a programme of events for anyone who is interested in learning a little bit more or might want to test or discuss ideas that they would like to put forward first.

A special Project Creator Workshop to learn more about the initiative will be held on Wednesday 8th March, 12.00 noon – 1.00pm and you can book a place here.

Sefton Crowd forms part of a new approach to civic planning by Sefton Council which sees crowdfunding as a key channel to involve communities and local organisations in regeneration.

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said: “This will be the seventh round that we are supporting and we have already seen some incredible schemes and ideas brought to fruition.

“We will be looking to support projects that answer our call for ideas which benefit local people and communities.

“I’m also calling on companies and foundations to join us in offering support – whether funding or in-kind – to the ideas people post on the platform so we can work together to make them a real success. The more people that get involved in Sefton Crowd the more amazing places we can create together.”

If you are interested in taking part in the next funding round of Sefton Crowd, as a funder or to fund your own project, please visit www.spacehive.com/movement/seftoncrowd or email info@spacehive.com.

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Sefton’s Derek praised for tackling mental health issue among town planners

18 February 2022
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Borough Of Culture, Business and Economy, Essential Sefton, Featured Friendship News, Front Page, Latest News

A Sefton Council officer has been recognised for his work to raise awareness of mental health support for town planners with a top industry award.

Derek McKenzie, Sefton Council’s Chief Planning Officer has received an Outstanding Contribution Award by the outgoing president of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) for leading on a project to create a mental health and wellbeing hub for people who work within the high pressure sector.

The ‘President’s Special Award’ for 2021 was bestowed upon Derek after he championed the need for a platform to support his colleagues across the UK and further afield after recognising that more needed to be done.

Derek said: “We all have a duty of care to ourselves, but sometimes our focus in this area can be distracted by the many events that can impact on us in life. Sometimes we just might want some help, advice and support from someone else when all that is in our brain is a fog that inhibits our thought processes.

“Our profession covers a diverse area with public, private and third sector organisations and businesses of varying size and complexity. In my experience, members who work in the public sector or for large private businesses generally have more access to mental health support when feeling under pressure, while smaller private sector business, sole traders, retired members and some students generally have access to none or very little.

“In my own capacity as a Chief Planning Officer at Sefton Council, I am all too aware of the significant and sustained increases in the number of planning applications that have been submitted, which can quickly cause additional pressures on staff so it is vital that efforts are made to keep staff morale and wellbeing high.”

Derek is a well known figure in the Planning sector, having worked across local government organisations for a number of years, as well as playing a key role in delivering the iconic Dubai Palm island projects.

Sefton Council Chief Executive Dwayne Johnson welcomed Derek’s award, saying: “Derek is a fantastic member of our Planning & Building control service and he really appreciates the importance of maintaining good mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.

“It is a testament to Derek’s commitment to his position that he has worked on a wider mental health provision for his contemporaries elsewhere in the UK and abroad. Well done Derek!”

For more information about planning processes in Sefton, visit www.sefton.gov.uk/planning

Have your say on Les Transformations Des Southport

17 February 2022
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Essential Sefton, Front Page, Latest News, Regeneration, Southport Town Deal

Sefton Council has launched a brand new consultation to seek the views of residents, businesses and visitors to the resort about future improvements to Southport town centre.

In 2020 plans were publicly revealed which would be designed to support Southport’s return to the grandeur of Victorian England, when it was the country’s second most popular tourist destination.

The project, dubbed “Les Transformations de Southport”, aims to support the town’s businesses by improving the connectivity across the whole town centre, including improved pedestrian facilities, better links to the railway station and the creation of new public spaces for hosting events.

Now a consultation has been launched for Phase One of the scheme, seeking out views about public access and how people move and travel through the town centre, as well as looking to gauge support on new public realm enhancements in the Chapel Street and Market areas.

Business owners, schools, visitors, the transport and tourism sectors are being encouraged to contribute their views alongside residents from the wider area around Southport.

People will be asked for their views on a number of areas, including:

• Lighting and benches on Chapel Street
• Improving the appearance of the Southport Station Entrance
• Changes to the Market Street quarter
• Better pedestrian provision on Eastbank Street
• Improved street signage
• Future phases and areas of focus

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, added: “The town centre is dominated by north-south movements, particularly by vehicles, and there are many competing demands for highway space which can be difficult to accommodate.

“The post Covid-19 decline in public transport use may also create additional pressure on the highway network to accommodate private vehicles.

“ Phase 1 is the beginning of our attempts to address these issues, provide infrastructure which allows for better access, along with the associated health and well-being outcomes.”

As accountable body for the project, Sefton Council will administer the consultation process on behalf of the Southport Town Deal board.

The consultation is open until March 18th, 2022. To have your say visit www.yourseftonyoursay.sefton.gov.uk/futuresouthport/

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Storm Eunice warning: Road & Park Closures

17 February 2022
Ollie Cowan
No comments
Categories: Essential Sefton, Front Page, Latest News

Marine Drive in Southport will be temporarily closed on Friday (February 18th) as part of Sefton Council’s response to Storm Eunice.

 

A closure will be in pace between the Fairway and Weld Road junctions as a precaution due to high tides and the potential for the road to become temporarily flooded.

 

A number of parks across Sefton will also be closed as a precaution in order to keep visitors safe from any falling trees or branches.

 

Sefton Council will continue to update its communities on any further closures through its normal channels.

 

The Met Office have announced that incredibly strong winds from Storm Eunice will affect Sefton and its coastline from early Friday morning, with weather worsening as the day progresses.

 

As a safety precaution, given the road’s exposed proximity to the coastline, Sefton Council has taken the decision to temporarily close Marine Drive in Southport from Fairway to Weld Road between the hours of 10am and 3pm on Friday (18/02/2022).

Sefton Council is recommending that all travel be kept to a minimum and journeys to only be made if they are essential.

A decision has also been made to close Hall Road Car Park in Blundellsands due to adverse weather conditions. This closure will also take place throughout Friday.

Botanic Gardens, Hesketh Park, Moorside Park, Derby Park and Victoria Park will be closed on Friday and a safety assessment will be carried out at each park prior to reopening

A spokesperson for Sefton Council said: “The UK is going to be seriously affected by Storm Eunice this weekend and Sefton is no exception.

“These pre-emptive closures are designed to keep our communities safe from any harm this storm may cause and we continue to monitor the situation as it develops.

“This means other roads may need to be closed at short notice. We strongly advise people stay away from coastal areas, especially our beaches and unsheltered areas.

“Please only travel if absolutely essential. The stormy weather could cause significant issues to road and rail transport and there is a strong possibility that a number of trees may be brought down by high winds.

“There is also potential for widespread power outages and damage to weakened/loose structures like roof tiles, fences and chimney stacks.”

With the right precautions taken and journeys limited to only essential travel, many residents will be able to safely wait out Storm Eunice, with the worst of the weather passing by Sunday (20/02/2022)

For more information and to find additional support, visit www.sefton.gov.uk/stormyweather

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