Mayor says “no easy options” as criticism of cycle lane decision continues

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Mayor Joanne Anderson said there were “no easy options” regarding city council’s controversial decision to remove a cycle lane this week.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting this morning, Mayor Anderson praised the efforts of Cllr Dan Barrington, his cabinet member for climate change and transport, after making the decision to remove a lane from the pop cycling program -up West Derby Road this week.

But she said she wanted to make it clear that the move – which has been praised by some locals but heavily criticized by cyclists and climate change activists – would not affect the council’s commitment to tackle the climate crisis.

Read more: Liverpool Council faces backlash over ’embarrassing’ cycle lane decision

A number of pop-up bike lanes were introduced around town by the council last year in an effort to encourage more people to leave their cars at home as public transport was not recommended due to the pandemic. .

The West Derby Road project proved to be the most controversial of all the routes created, with local councilors and residents claiming it created more congestion and was introduced without proper consultation.

After assuming his new role in May, Cllr Barrington began a review of the various cycle paths – but this week he said the formation of a sinkhole in the Prescot Road area had forced him to make an early decision and to remove the finish track from the West Derby Road Project.

Explaining the decision, he said: “I have had a number of concerns since the pop-up cycle path on West Derby Road was first introduced. It was put in place without consultation with local residents, companies and advisers.

Liverpool Mayor Joanne Anderson (Image: Colin Lane / Liverpool Echo)

“This has caused serious traffic jams and disadvantaged bus users along this route.

The review (of all bike lanes) is not complete, but with the chasm opening on Prescot Road last Friday night, a decision must be made now. I have decided that the arrival cycle path towards the city center will be removed. “

The move was heavily criticized by cyclists and others who accused the council of mocking the declaration of climate emergency it made two years ago.

Cycling activist James Maloney said: “The decision makes me both depressed and angry. It is clear from the backlash that many more people care about the safety of cycling infrastructure than the crowds of motorists. Unfortunately, the boats do them. the more empty tend to make the more noise. “

University of Liverpool lecturer and avid cyclist Alex Nurse said: “If anything demonstrably good comes along in the next few weeks I will be among the first to raise my hand and say ‘fair play’.

“I’ve been driving too long in the gutter not to roll my eyes when I hear ‘alternatives’, and really in the nicest way: I wish I was proven wrong.”

But at this morning’s cabinet meeting, Mayor Anderson insisted that the council is committed to reaching net zero by 2030.

She said: “I want to be clear that this decision does not undermine our commitment to achieve zero carbon by 2030 – but there were no easy options here.”

Meanwhile, the removal of the program was loudly greeted by Tuebrook adviser Steve Radford, who was pictured holding the removed terminals on West Derby Road in a celebratory pose.

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