Agenda item

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It was moved by Councillor Doolin, seconded by Councillor Lloyd-Johnson:

 

Cancel the proposed A5036 Port of Liverpool Access Road through Rimrose Valley Country Park.

 

This council notes:

 

The A5036 Port of Liverpool Access Scheme was paused in March 2023, and pushed back to a group of road projects known collectively as "RIS3" which are due to commence in April 2025. As such, the plan to build a dual carriageway through Rimrose Valley remains in place.

 

The election of a new Labour Government provides an opportunity to end the uncertainty and cancel the proposed scheme once and for all.

 

The untiring work of local residents and volunteers of the Save Rimrose Valley campaign for its continued campaign to prevent the destruction of Rimrose Valley, has been a credit to our community and their devotion to protecting green spaces.

 

This council believes:

 

There are better ways to improve transport links to and from the Port of Liverpool which would avoid the long-term consequences and harm to the local environment and to the health and well-being of the surrounding communities caused by the building of a dual carriageway through Rimrose Valley.

 

The proposed road would worsen air quality in South Sefton, which already has some of the worst levels of pollution in the country and therefore represents a grave threat to public health. The CO2 emissions generated through its construction and subsequent use would contribute to the global climate emergency, at a time when the transport sector urgently needs to reduce its CO2 emissions; it being the only sector to see emissions grow in recent years.

 

Rimrose Valley serves as a vital green space for the surrounding communities and offers a sanctuary for residents to connect with nature, engage in recreational activities, and find solace amidst the hustle and bustle of urban life. As such, it needs to be recognised and protected as resource for both physical and mental well-being.

 

Green spaces such as Rimrose Valley are home to a rich and diverse range of plant and animal species, making them essential habitats for our biodiversity to thrive. This biodiversity is under threat. We therefore have a responsibility to protect and preserve such places, as they contribute to the overall health and resilience of our planet’s ecosystems.

 

Building a road through this park would further perpetuate the mindset of prioritising economic growth over environmental sustainability and public health and wellbeing.

 

This council resolves to:

 

Continue to oppose the A5036 Port of Liverpool Access Road.

 

Write to Louise Haigh MP, new Labour Party Secretary of State for Transport to call for the A5036 Port of Liverpool Access Road to be cancelled and alternative methods of addressing the transport needs of the Port of Liverpool are explored.

 

Thank the local residents and volunteers of the Save Rimrose Valley Campaign for its continued work.

 

Continue to protect green spaces within urban environments and support communities to access such amenities to promote mental and physical health wellbeing.

 

An amendment was moved by Councillor Pugh, seconded by Councillor Brodie-Browne that the Motion be revised as follows:

 

This council notes:

 

The A5036 Port of Liverpool Access Scheme was paused in March 2023, and pushed back to a group of road projects known collectively as "RIS3" which are due to commence in April 2025. As such, the plan to build a dual carriageway through Rimrose Valley remains in place.

 

The election of a new Labour Government provides an opportunity to end the uncertainty and cancel the proposed scheme once and for all.

 

The untiring work of local residents and volunteers of the Save Rimrose Valley campaign for its continued campaign to prevent the destruction of Rimrose Valley, has been a credit to our community and their devotion to protecting green spaces.

 

This council believes:

 

There are better ways to improve transport links to and from the Port of Liverpool which would avoid the long-term consequences and harm to the local environment and to the health and well-being of the surrounding communities caused by the building of a dual carriageway through Rimrose Valley.

 

The proposed road would worsen air quality in South Sefton, which already has some of the worst levels of pollution in the country and therefore represents a grave threat to public health. The CO2 emissions generated through its construction and subsequent use would contribute to the global climate emergency, at a time when the transport sector urgently needs to reduce its CO2 emissions; it being the only sector to see emissions grow in recent years.

 

Rimrose Valley serves as a vital green space for the surrounding communities and offers a sanctuary for residents to connect with nature, engage in recreational activities, and find solace amidst the hustle and bustle of urban life. As such, it needs to be recognised and protected as resource for both physical and mental well-being.

 

Green spaces such as Rimrose Valley are home to a rich and diverse range of plant and animal species, making them essential habitats for our biodiversity to thrive. This biodiversity is under threat. We therefore have a responsibility to protect and preserve such places, as they contribute to the overall health and resilience of our planet’s ecosystems.

 

Building a road through this park would further perpetuate the mindset of prioritising economic growth over environmental sustainability and public health and wellbeing.

 

This council resolves to:

 

Continue to oppose the A5036 Port of Liverpool Access Road.

 

Write to Louise Haigh MP, new Labour Party Secretary of State for Transport:

 

(1) to call for the A5036 Port of Liverpool Access Road to be cancelled and alternative methods of addressing the transport needs of the Port of Liverpool are explored.

 

(2)   to establish whether her department supports a tunnel link in contradistinction from the view expressed by Highways England

 

(3)  to establish whether there are any proposals under active review in the department which would alleviate pressure on Church Road.

 

Thank the local residents and volunteers of the Save Rimrose Valley Campaign for its continued work.

 

Continue to protect green spaces within urban environments and support communities to access such amenities to promote mental and physical health wellbeing.

 

Following a debate on the Amendment the Chief Legal and Democratic Officer officiated a vote and the Mayor declared that the Amendment was lost by 15 votes to 40.

 

A further amendment was moved by Councillor Atkinson, seconded by Councillor Moncur that the Motion be revised as follows:

 

Cancel the proposed A5036 Port of Liverpool Access Road through Rimrose Valley Country Park.

 

This council notes:

 

The A5036 Port of Liverpool Access Scheme was paused in March 2023, and pushed back to a group of road projects known collectively as "RIS3".

 

Despite our constant requests to the previous Conservative Government to confirm abolition of the scheme, which were ignored, we will continue our efforts to work with the newly elected Government through our MPs to seek a positive outcome.

 

The untiring work of Bootle MP Peter Dowd, who has campaigned against the road for decades, alongside Sefton Central MP Bill Esterson, local residents and volunteers of Save Rimrose Valley has helped to prevent the destruction of Rimrose Valley, and their devotion to protecting green spaces has been a credit to our community.

 

This council believes:

 

There are better ways to improve transport links to and from the Port of Liverpool which would avoid the long-term consequences and harm to the local environment and to the health and well-being of the surrounding communities caused by the building of a dual carriageway through Rimrose Valley.

 

The proposed road would worsen air quality in South Sefton, which already has some of the worst levels of pollution in the country and therefore represents a grave threat to public health. The CO2 emissions generated through its construction and subsequent use would contribute to the global climate emergency, at a time when the transport sector urgently needs to reduce its CO2 emissions; it being the only sector to see emissions grow in recent years.

 

Rimrose Valley serves as a vital green space for the surrounding communities and offers a sanctuary for residents to connect with nature, engage in recreational activities, and find solace amidst the hustle and bustle of urban life. As such, it needs to be recognised and protected as resource for both physical and mental well-being.

 

Green spaces such as Rimrose Valley are home to a rich and diverse range of plant and animal species, making them essential habitats for our biodiversity to thrive. This biodiversity is under threat. We therefore have a responsibility to protect and preserve such places, as they contribute to the overall health and resilience of our planet’s ecosystems.

 

Building a road through this park would further perpetuate the mindset of prioritising economic growth over environmental sustainability and public health and wellbeing.

 

This council resolves to:

 

Continue to oppose the A5036 Port of Liverpool Access Road.

 

Ask the Leader of the Council to write to our Sefton MPs, to thank them for their hard work to date and continue to work with them to look at alternative methods of addressing the needs of the Port.

 

Thank the local residents and volunteers of the Save Rimrose Valley Campaign for its continued work and, in particular, pay tribute to former Councillor Paul Cummins who was instrumental in the setting up of the Friends of Rimrose Valley Group.

 

Continue to protect green spaces within urban environments and support communities to access such amenities to promote mental and physical health wellbeing.

 

Following a debate on the further Amendment the Chief Legal and Democratic Officer officiated a vote and the Mayor declared that the further Amendment was carried by 40 votes to 15.

 

Thereafter, the Chief Legal and Democratic Officer officiated a vote on the Substantive Motion and the Mayor declared that the Substantive Motion was carried by 40 votes to 13 with 2 abstentions and it was

 

RESOLVED:

 

Cancel the proposed A5036 Port of Liverpool Access Road through Rimrose Valley Country Park.

 

This council notes:

 

The A5036 Port of Liverpool Access Scheme was paused in March 2023, and pushed back to a group of road projects known collectively as "RIS3".

 

Despite our constant requests to the previous Conservative Government to confirm abolition of the scheme, which were ignored, we will continue our efforts to work with the newly elected Government through our MPs to seek a positive outcome.

 

The untiring work of Bootle MP Peter Dowd, who has campaigned against the road for decades, alongside Sefton Central MP Bill Esterson, local residents and volunteers of Save Rimrose Valley has helped to prevent the destruction of Rimrose Valley, and their devotion to protecting green spaces has been a credit to our community.

 

This council believes:

 

There are better ways to improve transport links to and from the Port of Liverpool which would avoid the long-term consequences and harm to the local environment and to the health and well-being of the surrounding communities caused by the building of a dual carriageway through Rimrose Valley.

 

The proposed road would worsen air quality in South Sefton, which already has some of the worst levels of pollution in the country and therefore represents a grave threat to public health. The CO2 emissions generated through its construction and subsequent use would contribute to the global climate emergency, at a time when the transport sector urgently needs to reduce its CO2 emissions; it being the only sector to see emissions grow in recent years.

 

Rimrose Valley serves as a vital green space for the surrounding communities and offers a sanctuary for residents to connect with nature, engage in recreational activities, and find solace amidst the hustle and bustle of urban life. As such, it needs to be recognised and protected as resource for both physical and mental well-being.

 

Green spaces such as Rimrose Valley are home to a rich and diverse range of plant and animal species, making them essential habitats for our biodiversity to thrive. This biodiversity is under threat. We therefore have a responsibility to protect and preserve such places, as they contribute to the overall health and resilience of our planet’s ecosystems.

 

Building a road through this park would further perpetuate the mindset of prioritising economic growth over environmental sustainability and public health and wellbeing.

 

This council resolves to:

 

Continue to oppose the A5036 Port of Liverpool Access Road.

 

Ask the Leader of the Council to write to our Sefton MPs, to thank them for their hard work to date and continue to work with them to look at alternative methods of addressing the needs of the Port.

 

Thank the local residents and volunteers of the Save Rimrose Valley Campaign for its continued work and, in particular, pay tribute to former Councillor Paul Cummins who was instrumental in the setting up of the Friends of Rimrose Valley Group.

 

Continue to protect green spaces within urban environments and support communities to access such amenities to promote mental and physical health wellbeing.