Description of the scheme
The scheme will link Leasowe to Wirral Waters and Seacombe Ferry by upgrading current routes along the River Birket and then utilising the existing routes across Bidston Moss. The route will also improve access to the west float of the Wirral Waters site along Wallasey Bridge Road and Beaufort Road.
Benefits of the scheme
The scheme will provide a route for pedestrian and cyclists from Leasowe to Seacombe which provides for the main sections a route that is separated from motorised traffic. The route also includes wetlands scrapes on the River Birket that improves habitat for insects and small mammals along the river corridor.
How the scheme will be funded
The scheme is funded through a 50:50 split from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and from the Liverpool City Region (LCR) Transforming Cities Fund.
Liverpool City Region Green Sustainable Travel Corridors Project
The Liverpool City Region Green Sustainable Travel Corridors Project (also called LCR SUD) is a £17.3m project (of which £8.65m is from ERDF) until June 2023 and part of a Liverpool City Region-wide initiative to encourage more cycling and walking.
The scheme aims to deliver a series of cycling and walking upgrades on key corridors, linking housing sites in the Region with employment and training opportunities, to make up the LCR Strategic Cycling and Walking Network. It aims to introduce clearly defined, direct cycleways to utilise off-road, segregated routes in order to encourage increased uptake in cycling and walking in the City Region. It is providing enhancement of green infrastructure, such as the planting of street trees and green walls and significant areas of biodiversity sites will be upgraded as part of the package of measures, including new areas of woodland and wildflower planting.
The scheme is being delivered by a consortium of partners across the Liverpool City Region:
- Liverpool John Moores University
- Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council
- Liverpool City Council
- Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council
- St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council
- Halton Borough Council
- Wirral Borough Council
- Merseytravel
- Liverpool Combined Authority
The Liverpool City Region Green Sustainable Travel Corridors (GSTC) project is receiving up to £8.65million of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visit GOV.UK.
Northern Powerhouse
The Northern Powerhouse is a key aspect of this Government’s approach to addressing the productivity gap in the North and ensuring a stronger, more sustainable economy for all parts of the UK.
Alongside over €1.5 billion of European Regional Development Fund support for businesses and communities across the North, the government has awarded £3.4 billion in three rounds of Growth Deals across the Northern Powerhouse.
Timescales
The final element of the scheme to be delivered is the section on Wallasey Bridge Road and Beaufort Road. This section is expected to be completed by March 2023.
Could this funding be used elsewhere?
The funding is specifically allocated for active travel routes and could not be used for other schemes within the council.
Are the schemes compliant with the latest active travel guidance (LTN 1/20)?
The funding was secured and the designs for the route undertaken prior to the new active travel guidance being released.
