Author: Ollie Cowan

Essential energy works are set to take place on Derby Road, Bootle from July 29-August 2.

In order to carry out these works, contractors need to close the southbound section of Derby Road between Miller’s Bridge and Bankhall Street is set to be closed with diversions in place to help reduce delays.

The essential works require Scottish Power to access underground equipment and the southbound closure has been put in place to ensure safety of workers on site.

Residents and businesses in the area have already been informed of the closure via letters.

Southbound traffic on Derby Road approaching the junction with Millers Bridge will be diverted onto Stanley Road.

Northbound traffic will remain unaffected by the works.

The works are carried out in conjunction with the wider North Liverpool Key Corridor (NLKC) scheme, which will create a modern fully ‘dualled’ road link on the A565 Great Howard Street and Derby Road between Sefton and Liverpool.

More information about this scheme can be found here.

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The third and final phase of improvement works on Southport Pier is set to start.

The work is all part of an ongoing £2.9m refurbishment of the oldest cast iron pier in the country that first opened in 1860.

Works will include new telescopes on the pier to view wildlife and terrestrial and webcams and television screens to view other marine life.

Other improvements include the opening of two new kiosks serving food and drink that the concessions now trade in.

The final phase due to start soon will see improved beach access and signage on the Pier that stretches more than 1,108m into the Irish Sea.

Mark Catherall, Sefton Council’s Tourism Manager, said: “Every year millions of people make the pleasant stroll down Southport Pier and the continued improvement works just enhance the experience.

“We look forward to working with the concessions to help the Pier go from strength to strength, and the substantial investment by the Council and the concession is a great boost to the local economy and shows great confidence in the town.

“Southport Pier is a marvellous asset and millions of pounds spent on redevelopment work ensures this fantastic structure continues to be a top tourist attraction.”

The final phase of work should be completed by the end of the year.

Sefton Council is continuing its efforts to reduce the impact that single used plastics have on the local environment.

Following last week’s landmark declaration of a Climate Change Emergency, Sefton Council’s Cabinet have today (July 25) agreed on even more robust action to help protect the environment and future generations by tackling the issue of single use plastics.

Sefton have already begun phasing out the use of single use plastics following discussions in 2018, including stopping use of plastic cutlery, straws, drink stirrers, plates, cups and lids in local authority buildings.

Work has been undertaken in relation to the concessions that operate under Sefton licences, including food outlets and events on the coastline.

Part of this work also involves a blanket ban on balloon and Chinese lantern releases across the borough, which have been found to pose a threat to livestock and wildlife, as well as being a source of litter across the coast and greenspaces.

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regulation and Compliance, said: “We wholeheartedly believe that the reduction of single-use plastic would not only benefit the health of our residents across Sefton, but it will also go quite some way in reducing waste and ultimately help us to protect our coast.

“While we know that there are limitations in our powers to ban single use plastics across the borough, we are working on a robust strategy to ensure we can eventually phase them out across all council activities and buildings by 2020.

“The mass intentional release of helium filled latex balloons and Chinese/sky lanterns pose hazards to wildlife and livestock causing injury and death, and in even worse cases, lanterns can also cause injury to humans, damage to buildings and cause false callouts to the coastguard.

“We would encourage all residents and visitors to our beautiful borough to take note and help us in reducing the amount of single use plastics our communities use.”

Further updates will be announced in the coming months.

Sefton Council is looking for feedback on what residents, visitors and businesses think about its vision for the future of Crosby Coastal Park in a new consultation that will run until September 16.

The Council wants to work closely with communities to explore opportunities to protect, improve and develop the coastal park in a way that will conserve habitats and encourage sustainable ideas that will increase wellbeing and economic opportunities.

The consultation will seek feedback on the various elements of the vision to help influence the way the landscape is managed and guide decisions on which developments should be supported in the future.

The consultation outlines possible ideas for specific stretches of the coastal park that have been divided into six zones:

• Zone A covers Hightown to north of Hall Road West
• Zone B covers Hall Road West to Burbo Bank Road
• Zone C covers Burbo Bank Road to Crosby Baths
• Zone D covers South of Crosby Road Baths to North of Marine Lake/South Road
• Zone E covers South Road to Cambridge Road
• Zone F covers Beach Lawn, Crescent, Adelaide and Marine Gardens and Potters Barn Park

There are already a number of schemes in the pipeline including a major coastal protection and flood alleviation project, improving the existing habitat for fauna and flora, improving accessibility for walkers and cyclists, boosting opportunities to increase health and wellbeing, improving visitor facilities and working with the Antony Gormley Studio to care for the famous statues.

However, Sefton Council believes more can be done to protect the landscape and make sure it’s the best it can be for residents, visitors, businesses and the many plants and species that call it home.

The consultation is an opportunity for the public to have their say on the future of the coastal park and let the Council know what they’d like to see.

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “While we all share a common goal in wanting to make the coastal park the best it can be, there are some challenges.

“This consultation will allow us to work closely with our communities, partners and organisations so that we can best understand each other’s needs.

“I urge anyone who lives, works or simply enjoys Crosby Coastal Park to engage with the consultation and let us know what you think.”

The consultation can be completed online by visiting  https://yourseftonyoursay.sefton.gov.uk