Sefton Council is receiving a share of £1.6 billion in funding as part of the Transport for City Region (TCR) settlement, which paves the way for faster, greener and more connected journeys across the region.

The funding is set to revolutionise the city region’s public transport, introduce rapid transit and smart ticketing across the entire network, connect communities and boost economic growth and support major regeneration.

In Sefton the funding will support

• Improvements to Bootle town centre to span rail, rapid transit, bus, active travel, and public realm improvements — whist driving regeneration, support new housing, and creating a modern, sustainable town centre.
• Southport regeneration through the Southport Promenade scheme, supporting active travel to the upcoming Marine Lake Events Centre and the pier from the town centre,
• Improve travel around Southport through future phases of Southport Eastern Access, which makes it easier for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists to move around the area,
• Create new walking and cycling links across the borough, from Crosby to Bootle to Southport, delivering priorities identified in the recently developed from the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP),
• Further works on highway maintenance and safety schemes

The borough will also benefit from city region wise schemes, such as bus franchising, that will give more local control over fares, routes and timetables. Other improvements across the city region include accessibility upgrades on the rail network.

Cllr Marion Atkinson, the Leader of Sefton Council said:

“This funding is really exciting for Sefton as well as the city region. We have the opportunity to progress next phases of our bigger projects and really invest in our communities.

“This funding goes across the whole borough, from the big public realm schemes in Southport around the Promenade to supporting regeneration in Bootle and making it improved town centre transport hub.

“The funding lets us continue with our fantastic Bootle School Neighbourhood work which engages with the community to improve their streets and lets us facilitate new housing. The funding also lets us spend money on smaller, but just as important projects like LCWIP and highway safety improvements.”