| MP Asks for Ambition in Fight to Solve Traffic Chaos |
| Monday, 14 January 2008 | |
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Southport MP John Pugh has called on retailers, Sefton Council, and Merseytravel to display some ambition in the ongoing battle to lift gridlocked drivers out of the traffic chaos that has afflicted the town in recent months. The MP backed The Champions call for an investigation into the synchronisation of traffic lights in the town centre - and also urged those involved to go still further. Mr Pugh has previously attempted to instigate a redevelopment of the Virginia Street pedestrian bridge to carry car traffic, but was disappointed by the lack of enthusiasm displayed by those with the power to make it happen. Speaking this morning Mr Pugh commented "If traffic was able to use a crossing at Virginia Street then that would alleviate some of the pressure around the trouble spots at Eastbank Street and Neville Street. It would provide a route both in and out of the Central 12 complex, which would mean a significant amount of that traffic wouldn't need to travel through the town centre." With traffic set to increase ahead of Southport hosting this year's Open championship - and in light of the new developments along the seafront and those proposed for the site of the old Leaf factory - Mr Pugh called on action to be taken now, before the situation becomes even worse. "So far I've been in contact with Merseytravel engineers about developing the bridge but was disappointed with their rather lukewarm response. I also wrote to the retailers at Central 12 about the proposal and sadly didn't even get a reply. The bridge at Virginia Street is not just an eyesore - it's a missed opportunity. With a bit more commitment from those involved I think we could make local drivers lives a lot easier." |