Laudable Street

Laudable Street- Cllr David Barton

Since being elected to the council I have been determined to make the town centre a priority. I’m sure we’d all agree that an attractive, clean and welcoming town centre is beneficial for everyone in our town. Through regular consultation with residents and local businesses I’ve already been able to secure funding for several projects and look forward to working on several more.

In no particular order to name but a few projects I have been extensively involved with since my time as the local Council Candidate for the area are

1.the Lord Street Gardens’ maintenance including the William Sutton plaque and stone balustrades from North through to the South end of the street. Whether this be through weekly volunteering throughout the summer and Autumn periods or working with the relevant Departments to secure funding at the best possible quote tender to clear away dense foliage and years’ worth of grime and moss from our trademark stone walling, I have had the pleasure of working with a multitude of people within the local Authority and community which has been greatly welcomed by present and new local Independent businesses investing in Southport.

2.the Rattan fencing- once described as  a “bug-bear” by a constituent, I have consulted many local people including a well- known residents’ group for their own views on how best to achieve the desirable outcome for all including several local businesses sharing the same view. Having worked patiently and considerately with the Council Officers we have finally achieved a net balance between the healthy and successful growth and maintenance of the plants there combined with the return of the Conservation Zone in that cross- section of the high street back to its correct appearance.

3.Lord Street Tree- lined boulevard. Despite the Council being unable to provide the finance to replace the decayed trees itself I have long campaigned to get the new replacement tress, of course on a like- for-like basis at the best possible price possible. This has involved multiple site meetings and on-going correspondence to get the best value possible for the Sefton pound.

4.the ornate spherical lamp posts- Last year whilst I managed to secure the funding for these to be cleaned in time for the Ricoh Women’s Open last year, the same funding wasn’t available this time, therefore I have pursued alternative funding for these to be done so including a full repainting as part of my on-going Conservation efforts after multiple requests from local businesses and residents.

5.the metal bins at London Square- having observed the steady rusting and decline of these proud structures I have pursued these to be restored exactly to how they were first erected along this central part of the town. As part of my own efforts to make the area more presentable for the Centenary Celebrations for the First and Second World Wars I can only thank the Officers too kindly for having acted upon my concerns and for completing such a thorough job.

6.the Lord Street Railings- after noting how badly in need of some tender loving care these were, especially after a recent car crash earlier this summer I promptly contacted the relevant Department to have these restored again on a like-for-like basis. Given the extent of the damage at the Southern end these had to be replaced under the same terms and conditions, hence my pursuing the remainder to be repainted in the same colour, given the safety element they provide residents during the bad weather, which was proven only too well earlier this year and again multiple enquiries from local residents especially young families who value an appreciate the fresh optimistic colours typically associated with a seaside coastal resort town. As I put forward at a previous meeting if the finance can be found elsewhere to repaint these altogether then I shall support this providing we are not expending any more of the duly allocated taxpayers” money.

There are more improvements that I am currently talking to local businesses about and will bring to the council in due course.

I feel strongly that a thriving town centre with Lord Street as the centrepiece adds so much to our offering as a coastal resort town.

Restoring Lord Street to its former glory would give Southport a real boost, and any improvement, large or small, whether it be a lick of paint (colour to be decided) on the railings or overgrown weeds removed really does help. I hope we can make Lord Street, Laudable Street in the weeks, months and years to come.”

Submit News Contact us with your community, business or sport news. Phone 07581350321

Email ots@otsnews.co.uk

Facebook www.facebook.com/otsnews.co.uk

Twitter  www.twitter.com/onthespot_news

Breaking local news as it happens, searchable archives with photographs, the ability to instantly comment on news articles – there are so many advantages to OTS (Onthespot) News.

If you want your news read locally online then send it to ots@otsnews.co.uk – relying only on the newspaper is to restrict yourself to an ever reducing audience.