Southport Promenade Improvement Consultation Launches

SEFTON Council is launching a public consultation on the 2nd stage of proposed improvements aimed at making it easier, safer, and more enjoyable for people to walk and cycle on Southport Promenade.

The consultation will begin on:- Monday, 17 November 2025, and will present the developed proposals based on feedback received from the previous consultation. These proposed improvements will support access to the:- 'Marine Events Lake Centre (MLEC)' and the refurbished pier once they open.

The first stage of the public consultation on the promenade improvements took place between:- February and March this year (2025). Using feedback from that first stage to make changes, Sefton Council is now asking for views on the updated designs. Residents can view the proposals and offer their feedback online at the Your Sefton Your Say website.

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy and Skills, emphasised the need for the improvements:- "During the last consultation, many concerns were raised around the current pedestrian crossings on the promenade. We want to improve road safety for the many people visiting the waterfront. The future improvements are aimed at reducing the risk of collisions in an area with high pedestrian footfall, whilst addressing some of the concerns raised. Our aim is to improve the safety of all road users when travelling to our tourist attractions."

Within a public statement recently issued she has also said:- "We want people to visit the MLEC and the pier, and it just makes sense to ensure the route people will take to go there is made safer and look nicer with planting."

The Council is seeking input from residents, business owners, schools, visitors, and the transport and tourism sectors. The scheme is funded by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority as part of the Transport for City Region allocation from the government, which aims to improve local transport networks.

To provide an opportunity for people to speak directly with Council officers and designers, two drop-in sessions will be held at The Atkinson in Southport:-

• Tuesday, 18 November 2025, from:- 10:00 to 13:00.
  

• Thursday, 27 November 2025, from:- 13:00 to 16:00.

This consultation, which will help shape the detailed design of the scheme, will run until:- Sunday, 11 January 2026. There will be further public engagement in the future as the designs and phasing of the project take shape.

Putting this into a wider context, this specific consultation follows the Council's broader consultation on their:- 'Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan,' which was held earlier in the year, from:- 23 July to 15 September 2025. That consultation focused on a broader policy document covering all of Sefton, aiming to select priority routes for developing active travel across the borough. It also falls under the:- 'Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Local Transport Plan.'

To read our previous information about the:- "Les Transformations de Southport" please cluck here.

Are you ready for the new train timetables?

TRAIN operator Northern is reminding customers to check before they travel, with timetables for trains changing from:- Sunday, 14 December 2025.

The update to timetables in December forms part of the national timetable change, which takes place each May and December.

Many of the changes taking place next month form part of wider improvements across the rail network, with some areas; in particular the North East; seeing new routes, faster journeys, and revised train times to make train travel easier and more reliable.

There will also be a number of changes whilst engineering work takes place over the Christmas and New Year period in places, and a closure of the line from Christmas until late-January between:- Leeds and York whilst work takes place as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade.

There are several tools available to help customers plan their journeys:-

• Northern app: Access real time updates, purchase tickets, and receive notifications about service alterations.
  

• National Rail Enquiries journey planner: Check for timetable changes, engineering works and plan journeys.

Matt Rice, Chief Operating Officer for Northern, said:- "The upcoming timetable changes reflect our focus on improving connectivity, strengthening reliability and offering more convenient services across the North of England. We are pleased to be able to offer later trains in the evening following customer feedback on some of our routes, and extra trains during peak times on others. I'd urge customers to check their journeys in advance as there will be some significant changes in place, and particularly during the December engineering period."

Full details of all of the changes taking place across the Northern network can be found on Northern's website.

Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with:- 2,650 services a day to more than:- 500 stations across the North of England.

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