Sustrans North and Sefton Council are working collaboratively with residents, businesses and schools to co-create designs to enhance local streets. The Southport Liveable Neighbourhood project held its first live community event on 22 May, as part of work to help design safer and healthier streets for everyone.
Local businesses and residents also have another chance to contribute ideas at a design drop-in event on 26 May between 4-7pm on Shakespeare Street.
Southport Liveable Neighbourhood held its first live community event, including a pop-up café, plant giveaway and entertainment for children on 22 May in St Paul’s Square.
It was the first of two ‘co-design drop-ins’ organised by our team in the North and Sefton Council to highlight results from a survey of over 600 people in the area.
63% of people who responded to the survey question "What do you dislike about your street" answered that 'traffic was too fast' in the area and/or 'there was too much traffic'.
Open again on Wednesday 26 May
Local businesses and residents also have another chance to contribute ideas at a design drop-in event on 26 May between 4-7pm on Shakespeare Street.
Our street designers work closely with the community in a four-stage process to create a neighbourhood, which is safer and healthier for people to walk, cycle or use a wheelchair for local shops and services.
In response to the survey, the team has created design boards to highlight the areas where people want to see change in the project area, which stretches between Lord Street and Cemetary Road.
Following feedback from local businesses, there will be no restrictions on through traffic for Shakespeare Street and Duke St.
Design your streets
Local residents find out about the Southport Liveable Neighbourhood project so far, get involved in changes to the design of their streets, and pick up a free plant from Wonky Gardens.
The team are asking people to get creative with pencils, stickers and tracing paper.
At the family fun day, there was entertainment for all ages and a chance for children to get involved in designing their streets.
Do you want traffic restrictions?
Our project officer Ali Dore said:
“This is a chance for everyone to find out more about Southport Liveable Neighbourhood, what people have said so far and give their views.
"Engagement so far showed that the majority of people were concerned about traffic speed and safety but they did not want traffic restrictions on Shakespeare Street or Duke Street.
"We now want to gain more insight into what changes you want to see on your street.
“Come along and take a look at our design boards, suggest ideas and give your views.
"There will be refreshments and plants to giveaway, as well as entertainment for the children.
"Please do get involved and bring your family.”
The Southport Liveable Neighbourhood project is a collaborative process, working with the local community to co-design improvements to our neighbourhoods.
Get involved
Cllr John Fairclough, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Localities, said:
“Work to create low traffic Liveable neighbourhoods in our borough is in line with National, Regional and local policies to encourage walking and cycling for short journeys.
“The Southport Liveable Neighbourhood project is a collaborative process, working with the local community to co-design improvements to our neighbourhoods
“We want as many people as possible to get involved in the process and there are lots of ways for people to get involved.
“We are working closely with Sustrans to ensure that we are seeking to engage the whole community in the Liveable Neighbourhoods; from school children to business owners.”
The street design process
Our urban designers use local residents’ ideas and feedback to create street designs that help to reduce rat-running traffic and accidents in the area and create a more attractive environment for residents and customers.
There are four stages to the street design process before implementing Southport Liveable Neighbourhood:
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Gathering information and views from local residents.
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Co-design workshops with local residents.
- Draft designs and gathering feedback from local residents at events and online.
- Trial of the designs with opportunity for feedback from residents.
In addition school children from six schools in the area are surveying their own streets and contribute ideas through activities and workshops.
There will be a further chance for people to have their say on Southport Liveable Neighbourhood before a trial of the new designs.
