Measures taken to prevent ‘traffic gridlock’ around Sefton Park

A veteran councilor has called for roadworks that would have closed Penny Lane to be delayed because it would cause “traffic gridlock” in south Liverpool.

The storm that hit Liverpool on Tuesday night led to flooding and the closure of Queens Drive. The road, where an elderly couple died last August after being stuck in their car during a similar flood, has been reopened but is now closed again.

Nearby Penny Lane was due to be closed for seven weeks from Monday 15 July. This would mean two busy roads in south Liverpool would be closed at the same time.

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The Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councilor Richard Kemp CBE, who lives in the area, addressed X to explain the complications the simultaneous road closures would cause the area.

In a tweet, Cllr Kemp said: “The closure of both Penny Lane and Queens Drive would have brought traffic to a standstill in the area. We have arranged for the proposed seven-week closure of Penny Lane from next Monday (15th) to be lifted indefinitely. “

In his personal blog, he gave more details: “The council originally intended to close Penny Lane next week for five to six weeks to undertake lighting repairs. They are now going to withdraw that road closure because of the traffic, which was pretty bad at the moment. in the morning, it would be absolutely impossible with the two parallel roads closed.”

Queens Drive will remain closed for the foreseeable future as, during the flooding on Tuesday night, the main sewer on the road burst under the pressure of the water.

This means the road will be closed for this weekend’s Jamie Webster (Friday 12 July) and Cream Classical (Saturday 13 July) events at Sefton Park.