Pre-election row continues over phantom Birkdale cycle lane

A Conservative councillor candidate for Birkdale has welcomed a “u-turn” from the Liberal Democrats over alleged plans for a cycle lane.

Despite regular comments from Mr Durkin criticising the Liberal Democrats over their supposed support for a cycle lane, Cllr Simon Shaw says no lane was ever proposed.

The spat continues as Cllr Shaw will move a motion at Council on Thursday to confirm that no lanes in Birkdale are planned, and that any such lane running through Birkdale Village would be incredibly damaging.

Mr Durkin has issued a press release welcoming the motion, while criticising Cllr Shaw and his colleagues for not acting sooner.

Cllr Shaw could have acted much sooner on this topic, but I guess better late than never.

Birkdale Conservative Councillor candidate Lee Durkin

Mr. Durkin said: “During 2020 I was contacted more and more by residents across the Birkdale area that had been outraged by the out of touch stance taken by the Lib Dems here who previously praised the idea of cycle lanes / routes through Birkdale. As someone that has communicated with numerous residents now about the subject, I have seen first-hand how foolish it would have been to pursue this, but I am glad that Cllr. Shaw has finally woken up to the actual needs of the people here!”

He added: “After months of me saying that these cycle lanes / routes could severely damage Birkdale Village’s businesses, the Lib Dems have at last followed behind me. In asking for clarification on the potential cycle routes through the village, Cllr Shaw could have acted much sooner on this topic, but I guess better late than never.”

Cllr Shaw replied: “This is starting to get rather tiresome.  Just to recap:

• • • The Council has never proposed Cycle Lanes in Birkdale Village
    • Local Lib Dem councillors have never supported the idea of Cycle Lane in Birkdale Village
    • The only people who have ever talked about Cycle Lanes in Birkdale Village are Lee Durkin and his Conservative colleagues

“Mr Durkin says he is ‘pleased’ about my motion even though the first half of it is explaining why his claims have always been untrue.  So I trust that local Conservative councillors will be backing my Council motion on Thursday.  It’s just a pity that he has continued to peddle his distortions over recent months which I am sure has worried some residents and traders.

“Let’s not forget this all started back in October when Mr Durkin claimed that he was ‘hitting back at demands from local Lib Dems to drive new cycle lanes through Birkdale Village’.”

It’s just a pity that [Mr Durkin] has continued to peddle his distortions over recent months which I am sure has worried some residents and traders.

Liberal Demoncrat Councillor for Birkdale Simon Shaw

Mr Durkin distributed a press release in October that stated: “Local Lib Dems Simon Shaw and Iain Brodie Browne revealed their calls for cycle lanes to blight Birkdale in their recent Birkdale Focus newsletter.”

The evidence for the claim was given as a leaflet sent to homes by the Liberal Democrats that read: “Simon and Iain met with the Council’s Cycling Officer in September to discuss a possible safe cycle route through Birkdale. ‘There would need to be full consultation with residents,’ says Iain.”

“Nowhere did we mention cycle lanes, and in fact nowhere did we mention Birkdale Village,” responded Cllr Simon Shaw.

Criticism of various cycle lane schemes around Southport has been mouting for several months.

Conservative councillor candidates such as Mike Prendergast and Thomas de Freitas have consistently attacked the Town Centre scheme, with their opposition supported by Damien Moore.

Liberal Democrat councillors Tony Dawson and John Pugh have also criticised the scheme, while Pat Keith has tabled questions discussing the lack of public consultation.

Sefton Council says the scheme was implemented after pressure from central government, which prevented full consultation from taking place.

Local elections will take place on Thursday 6th May.