Improved active travel routes are now in place on Dunnings Bridge Road and Netherton Way as a result of the phase one of the Maritime Corridor scheme being completed. Cabinet Member for Skills, Economy and Regeneration Cllr Paulette Lappin welcomed Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram to see the improvements.

Scheme aims

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Cabinet Member for Skills, Economy and Regeneration said:

“The infrastructure improvements delivered by this scheme will help connect people in the area with local jobs.

“With the new Atlantic Park development generating new jobs that will support economic growth in the area, it makes sense to improve the travel routes to the site itself.”

Active Travel and Low Car Ownership

The improvements are in an area of Sefton with low car ownership, with around half of households not having access to a car. Investing in walking, wheeling and cycling routes supports local people travelling around their area, whether it is to local jobs, education or for leisure.

The Liverpool City Region Walking and Cycling Index reports 78% of people supported improving and increasing off-road walking, wheeling and cycling paths, and over three-quarters of people said more road crossings and better pavement accessibility would encourage them to walk or wheel more.

The Maritime Corridor scheme upgrades segregated foot and cycle paths, and crossings at junctions. These changes make it safer and more accessible for those not in a vehicle to travel. Additionally, safer crossings also benefit motorists though improved traffic flow and more reliable journey times due to less traffic accidents.

Why here: Job Opportunities

The Maritime Corridor provides high-quality walking and cycling routes that feel safe and are nice to use in an area that they are needed and that people will want to use.

In the area are nearby schools, nurseries, residential areas as well as job opportunities like Atlantic Park. The Atlantic Park development is creating over a thousand jobs, and the Maritime Corridor scheme is putting transport infrastructure where it is needed, helping local people access local jobs.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said:

“We’ve committed £150m to active travel as part of my pledge to deliver 600km of new and upgraded walking and cycling routes across the city region. By creating safer, more direct links between our communities and the places people visit every day – from schools and nurseries to high streets, parks and workplaces – we’re giving people real choice in how they travel.

“Encouraging more short journeys to be made on foot, wheel or by bike is not only better for the environment, it also supports healthier lifestyles and helps ease pressure on our NHS. This is a huge step forward in our journey to building a bigger, better-connected active travel network that will benefit local residents for years to come.”

There is a link between economic growth and good, accessible, transport infrastructure. Places with reliable infrastructure that is high quality lets people, goods and services move quickly and efficiently to get where they need to go.

Creating segregated cycle lanes and improving junctions are shown to help improve uptake of bike use. Joined up connected cycle lanes also help increase bike journeys, and Phase 2 of the Maritime Corridor scheme starting later in 2026 will connect with Phase 1.

Social value

The scheme has produced travel improvements as well as delivering benefits to the local economy through localised source materials and labour.

In addition, contractor Balfour Beatty spent over 60 hours volunteering, visited schools and colleges over 39 times and engaged over 250 students. Additionally, they provided 17 weeks of work placements, 66.5 weeks of apprenticeships and created a new full-time position, creating local jobs for local people.

Pictured: Cllr Paulette Lappin, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Skills, Economy and Regeneration, Mayor of Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheam, and Kay Slade, Managing Director, Balfour Beatty

Cllr Paulette Lappin continued:

“The Maritime Corridor scheme has provided job opportunities and work experience, helping people in Sefton find work, as well as improving infrastructure to work opportunities.

“At a time where people are struggling to find work opportunities, it is really positive that we have been able to improve access to work in the short and long term.”

Read more on the benefits of the scheme.