Sefton Council has provided updates on several ongoing highway improvement schemes across the borough, including the Les Transformations de Southport project, Maritime Corridor improvements, and developments related to Bootle Strand. Since April, the council has overseen 13,000 square metres of resurfacing at a cost of £521,240, along with preventative surface treatment on 33,000 square metres of footways costing £193,000. Repairs to 300 square metres of footways, including paving slab replacement, have cost £20,000. Daily safety inspections amount to £205,000, while maintenance work such as grass cutting, gully cleansing, road marking, and street furniture replacements has cost £190,000 this financial year.
Maritime Corridor Phase 1 and Phase 2
The Maritime Corridor project aims to improve access to development sites around the A5036 Dunnings Bridge Road and A59 Ormskirk Road. This is separate from National Highways' footbridge replacement near Park Lane and the Port of Liverpool Access scheme. Phase 1, from November 2024 to February 2025, is complete. Phase 2, covering Bridle Road, Heysham Road, and Vesty Road, is set to begin in August, with a compulsory purchase order inquiry ongoing. Contractor Balfour Beatty has completed initial works and submitted a formal offer. A proposed link between Vesty Road and Deltic Way now includes CCTV and lighting. Phase 3, focusing on Park Lane, is planned after 2027 subject to funding.
Southport Eastern Access
This scheme reduces congestion on Southport's eastern side, with junction improvements on Norwood Road, Kew Roundabout, and Foul Lane. Phase 1 at Bispham Road and Sussex Road junctions ran from March 2025 to January 2026. Phase 2, the Foul Lane Cycleway Enhancement and Kew Roundabout, is expected to start in August after Balfour Beatty presents a formal offer in July. Planning applications are approved, and land acquisition is through direct negotiation.
Cycle Facilities on A59/Kenyon's Lane/Dodds Lane
The council is creating cycle facilities and improving pedestrian accessibility from Dodds Island to Robins Island, including a new CYCLOPs junction at Kenyon's Lane. Work is largely complete, but commissioning of crossings at Robbins Roundabout awaits electrical connections, expected this month. Next steps include a safety review of the A59/Dodds Lane junction.
A565 Improvements
An active travel link south from Southport Road to Thornton is under development, with preliminary design nearly complete for the Southport Road/Southport Old Road/Formby Bypass junction. A potential offline route through Ince Woods is identified, but landowner engagement continues.
Les Transformations de Southport
Phase 1, including Market Street pedestrianisation, was completed in winter. Litter bins will be installed in August, and rain gardens will be improved to reduce ponding. Phase 2 focuses on pedestrian and cycle access to the Promenade ahead of the Marine Lake Events Centre opening and Pier reopening. Plans include a cycle lane, one-way roads, and additional crossings. The Licensing and Regulatory Committee approved proposals despite public opposition to the cycle lane. Balfour Beatty is conducting a feasibility assessment.
Birkdale Village Improvements
A pedestrian access and safety scheme is underway, with a pedestrian phase being installed at Lulworth Junction. Weld Road resurfacing is expected to finish before The Open golf tournament starting July 16.
Bootle Town Centre Works
Works support the Strand development, ensuring the Strand Service Road can operate from Vermont Way. The council is reviewing a long-term plan for improved access after demolition, including car park changes and work on Washington Parade. The Vermont Way junction should be operational by July 1, allowing two-way traffic to the Strand while the service road is closed at Washington Parade.
Thornton Improvement Works
Residents, schools, and Thornton Parish Council raised traffic and safety concerns. An action plan includes investigations at all signal junctions and traffic modelling to test improvement options, which will now be implemented.
