Cabinet set to decide on new park-to-park cycle corridor
A proposal to deliver a new segregated cycle route between Princes Park and Sefton Park is due before Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet this week, in a move that would advance a £3.68 million active travel scheme serving two of the city’s most visited green spaces.
If councillors approve the appointment of a contractor, detailed design work would begin in the autumn, with on-the-ground construction currently anticipated to commence in late 2027. The scheme would create almost 1km of dedicated cycling infrastructure from the Princes Avenue junction, threading through Princes Park and concluding at Sefton Park.
Part of wider active travel network and Net Zero plan
The corridor forms a priority element within the Council’s Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan, adopted in 2024. That plan aims to increase walking, wheeling and cycling trips and underpins the authority’s Net Zero 2030 ambition. In parallel with the park-to-park link, the Council’s broader ambitions include over 4km of dedicated routes intended to connect Sefton Park with Liverpool city centre.
Alongside the segregated route, the Council is proposing upgrades to pedestrian crossings at three busy junctions to enhance safety and accessibility for people accessing nearby parks and schools. Funding for design and construction would be supported in part by Active Travel England.
Public support cited following consultation
Initial concept designs were completed and shared with residents and local businesses at the end of 2024. According to the Council, more than 80% of respondents backed the proposals, and the feedback has been used to inform the next design stage. Further engagement with residents and stakeholders is planned once the detailed designs are drawn up, ahead of works commencing.
“We want people to have a choice in how they get around Liverpool. Improving routes for people who walk, wheel and cycle is an important part of that, helping to create safer, more accessible connections while encouraging more sustainable ways to travel. This investment will benefit local communities, improve access to some of our best-loved green spaces and support our wider ambitions for a healthier city.”
The scheme’s relevance extends beyond the city boundary. Sefton residents regularly visit Sefton Park and neighbouring attractions, and the proposed corridor would provide a clearer, safer link into the park, connecting with existing walking and cycling routes used for leisure and commuting. While this project sits within Liverpool’s administrative area, it forms part of a growing patchwork of active travel measures across the city region that many Sefton households rely on for day-to-day journeys.
What happens next
Should Cabinet members give the go‑ahead to appoint a contractor, the project would move into detailed design this year, with further community engagement to follow. The Council indicates construction is expected to begin in late 2027, subject to the usual statutory and procurement steps.
- Decision point: Cabinet asked to appoint a contractor for design and delivery.
- Timeline: Detailed designs in autumn; construction slated for late 2027.
- Scope: ~1km segregated cycleway; pedestrian crossing upgrades at three junctions.
Key figures and milestones
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total scheme value | £3.68m |
| Route length | Almost 1km |
| Wider plan | More than 4km of routes towards city centre |
| Public support | Over 80% in favour (2024 consultation) |
| Funding | Part-funded by Active Travel England |
| Next steps | Design this autumn; construction from late 2027 |
For communities in Sefton who frequent Sefton Park and the south Liverpool corridor, the proposals point to improved connections and safer crossings on approaches to the parks and nearby schools. The precise design details, including junction treatments and park access points, will be shaped in the upcoming engagement phase if the Cabinet decision allows the project to proceed.
