At the January meeting of the Council's Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee, the Chair (Labour Councillor Liz Grey) urged councillors to do more to make people aware of consultations on cycle lanes, following the example of Conservative Councillors in Wallasey Ward.
So it was surprising to learn at the latest meeting, on 16 June, that just 88 people had responded to the consultation on whether to install bollards on the existing Duke Street cycle lanes in Birkenhead.
Even more surprising because part of the scheme is in the Bidston St James Ward, where Cllr. Grey is one of the three councillors.
In this latest consultation, a majority once again opposed the proposals, highlighting:
- Impact on businesses along the route
- Traffic congestion
- Lack of cyclists using the cycle lanes
- Emergency vehicle access
- Cost
Pretty much the same concerns that were given at the January meeting on the 'Core Active Travel Network'. And, just as we saw at that meeting, these concerns were dismissed by Labour councillors on the committee. Only the two Conservative Councillors voted against.
This in spite of the proposals, just like all the other 'Active Travel' schemes, failing to:
- Evidence demand for the scheme
- Provide accurate costs of the scheme
- Outline how it would be evaluated
Claims by Cllr. Grey that this is about cyclist safety have also since been debunked by local resident Rory Wilmer.
