Our local Labour Council has obviously lost interest in Crosby Village and currently has no plans to bring about its transformation.
Southport looks likely to benefit from up to £25m investment from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund. Southport is also spending £2.5m through the Townscape Heritage Fund, whilst the Combined Authority’s Town Centre £1m Fund is being shared between Bootle and Southport..
The Council’s resources have been channelled towards Southport and Bootle Strand whilst the town centres of Crosby, Formby and Maghull have been ignored.
Why have the Labour MP’s, Bill Esterson and Peter Dowd, not supported their constituencies and tried to secure funding from the Government’s town centre funding?
Last year’s Christmas lights switch-on in Crosby Village was a total fiasco. The car parks are poorly maintained despite the high charges for motorists who are expected to use them. The road layout is confusing and bus stops inconveniently placed for local shoppers. The public toilets are closed and form an unsightly blot on the landscape.
The Council has allocated £80,000 for an access and accessibility study but has failed to consult with residents and traders about their needs for parking, access and transportation needs.
St Modwen have taken a commercial decision to sell their interest in the refurbished shops in Moor Lane following which several units have closed. They have retained the Telegraph House block but there are no plans to show how this is to be redeveloped and what part the Council will play.
Bill Esterson has spoken in Parliament about local GP surgeries being not fit for purpose, so why is this Council not working with the NHS to build a new health centre in Crosby Village? The NHS wants to build a multi-purpose centre but this Council seems more intent on holding onto its dilapidated car parks to squeeze cash out of the parking motorists.
A Conservative Council would unleash the potential of Crosby Village, working with the community, local traders, and developers to introduce new health facilities, housing and a range of shops into the area.
