WALK, SCOOT, CYCLE TO SCHOOL.
We are all very much aware of the benefits of encouraging our children to walk, scoot or cycle to school. Teachers find that the pupils who walk, cycle or scoot arrive at school relaxed, alert and ready to start lessons than those who travel by car. It also helps pupils to keep fit and helps to reduce air pollution and congestion around the school gates.
Parents and children may be full of good intentions but sadly the journey to school for some of our youngsters and parents means walking through effluent discharge from drains, piles of leaves, and walk ways devoid of high friction surfacing, thus causing slips and falls especially in wet weather.
The state of Blundellsands and Crosby subway is deplorable. Not only is it unsightly but it is becoming dangerous, especially when heavy rain and high tides cause the discharge from the drains to flow across the walk way. It is unpleasant to walk through this discharge and even worse for parents who have to wheel their prams and buggies through it on a daily basis. The situation has become so acute that the area is always wet, even during the hot weather.
The walls are filthy, the aged cartoon art work , looks tired and the graffiti, although removed, has been painted over by Sefton Council with a cream paint, creating an unsightly patchwork finish on the tiled walls.
The cream tiles are dirty, covered in green slime and need to be jet washed on a regular basis, but they are not.
Imagine alighting from the train at this station in search of the Iron Men to be greeted by this shameful sight. Even the beach is not
sign posted for those unfamiliar with the area. The area has a hopeless air of neglect and disrepair and the Labour Council have presided over this dilapidation and decay.
A local resident said “When I go to Southport from this station, I extend my return journey to Waterloo Station. I wait for a return train so that I do not have to walk through that subway. It smells and it is eerie at night time. “
Why are local residents and visitors to our community being subjected to this disgraceful situation? The Labour Council just does not care. They constantly state that there is no money available for any form of upgrading. Perhaps they should look in the ward budget purse or allocate some of the funding from Section 106 budget from the massive local house building programme, to fund the essential refurbishment.
United Utilities need to be instructed to investigate and repair the broken drains and clear the subway of this stinking filthy water that children, parents and passengers have to walk through on a daily basis. It needs cleaning up and the Labour Council need to get it done. The walls need panelling with some appropriate signage and information on the local history and environmental treasures.
It’s nice to see that the new Chief Executive of Sefton Council, Phil Porter, is eager to familiarise himself with the beauty of the borough as stated, on the Council’s website.
“Outside of work Philip spends most of his free time with his young family, but he is also a keen cyclist, cross country runner (with his dog) and swimmer, and is really looking forward to open water swimming at the Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre and along the Sefton coast when he can.”
Perhaps if he alights the train at Blundellsands and Crosby Station and familiarises himself with the grot and filth that residents and families endure on a daily basis, walking to school or catching the train, he too may be appalled at what greets him. Welcome to Sefton, Phil.
