A dispute has broken out between Sefton Council and a Liberal Democrat councillor over his assertion that the local authority intends to spend £14m on a cycle path down the middle of Southport’s promenade. The council has dismissed the claim as “misleading”.
Background to the claim
The ECHO understands that Sefton Liberal Democrat group leader Cllr Dr John Pugh issued a release on September 24 detailing his scepticism of the project, which stated: “Sefton is intending to spend £14m on a cycle path down the middle of the promenade to embellish the new conference centre.
“However, there is already a cycle path, called by Sefton ‘the Swan Path’, that currently runs past the Floral Hall site along the Marine Lake. Ironically it is being blocked off by building contractors working on the new Marine Lake Events Centre.
“It is certainly most unusual as a cycle scheme. There’s almost nothing like it elsewhere in the UK. Cycling bodies do not recommend cycle paths down the middle of a road, certainly not with seven crossing points including traffic lights along the short length.”
He called for a “cheaper more orthodox approach which does not mean a wholesale re-modelling of the promenade”.
Council's response
In June 2026, the licensing committee approved plans for a new cycle lane, one-way system and pedestrian crossings, as part of the Les Transformations de Southport project. The two-phase project first involved now completed pedestrianisation works around the Market Quarter, and also aims to better connect the town centre to the waterfront with crossings and public areas.
The council aims to complete the work because of expected pedestrian footfall after the pier is restored and the new Marine Lake Events Centre (MLEC) opens.
On Wednesday, September 30, Sefton Council responded to the “misleading information” about the promenade scheme. Cllr Phil Hart, cabinet member for housing and highways, said: “Firstly, I’d like to address the misleading claim that the proposed Southport promenade scheme is a £14m cycle lane. It isn’t.
“The promenade scheme is part of the big picture for Southport, with major investment in the town including £106 million for the MLEC, the £20 million restoration of the Pier and £10 million for the Town Hall Gardens. It is just one part of the transformation of the seafront and is key in improving the links from the town centre through to the pier and MLEC and other seafront attractions.”
He said the area is expected to see higher footfall in the coming years, requiring improvements on better accessibility and safety, and calling it “just a cycle path” is “disingenuous”.
Further reaction
Cllr Hart added: “The ward councillor who issued this misleading update has been the recipient of numerous briefings and meetings about our efforts to enhance and improve transport connectivity in Southport and is fully aware of what makes up this wider scheme.
“The addition of the proposed cycle route adds further connective routes that keeps cyclists separate from both motorists and pedestrians.”
Cllr Dr Pugh has responded, claiming that the council’s press department have been “pressed into fighting political battles” for the Labour administration. Sefton Council said it did not wish to comment further.
