Kids fear crossing road amid upgrade delays - MP

The A5036 divides two residential areas in Bootle

A decision by a government department to shelve plans to rebuild a footbridge has left children "frightened" to cross a major road, an MP says.

Peter Dowd, MP for Bootle in Merseyside, said National Highways (NH) had "failed" local residents in deciding not to rebuild the footbridge over the A5036, which divides two residential areas on its route to the Port of Liverpool.

He said upgrades on the road had faced "delay after delay" and that children were currently "frightened to death to walk across the road, even with their parents".

A spokesperson for NH said the department had instead decided to upgrade a junction with crossing points for cyclists and pedestrians "subject to confirmation of funding".

The spokesperson also told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that NH's updated plans were "the best overall solution against key considerations of safety and affordability".

Speaking in Westminster Hall last week, Mr Dowd criticised NH for being “difficult to engage with”.

“There is an absolute lack of candour, a complete lack of respect for elected Members, a lack of respect for the local authority, but most important of all, a lack of respect for my constituents who have to live along that road, which is already challenging for them," he said.

He also expressed concerns about the maintenance of the road, saying weeds were impacting the road’s safety.

Responding to his queries regarding the maintenance of the A5036, the NH spokesperson said: “We are working with Sefton Council to address the concerns raised by MP Peter Dowd.”