Lark Lane, a popular destination near to the heart of Liverpool known for its independent food and drinks scene, is to benefit from a £750,000 revamp. The Liverpool Echo reports that the bohemian area near to student residences and open green space will be made more accessible to pedestrians and cyclists, and improvements will be made to the layout.
The plans will follow on from the one way system that was implemented in 2020. This allowed some of the road area to be converted into outdoor seating areas for the numerous cafes, bars and restaurants that line the street. The new renovations will finalise the work that was started after the lockdown period of the pandemic.
The pathways and pavements will be widened to make pedestrian access easier and safer, parking will be restricted and the street furniture will be improved and more greenery installed to make it more attractive to visitors. The aim is to foster an outdoor cafe culture that is safe and pleasant to use.
Speaking about the plans, local Green Party Councillor John Howard said: “One of the main advantages of the new scheme is going to be the huge increase in accessibility. Currently the old pavement is covered in a complete mess of street furniture that’s grown up over the years, with sign posts, bins and even lamp posts smack bang in the middle of the pavement.
“Add into that the mix restaurants putting tables or A boards on the pavement itself, rather than in the bollarded areas, and it means the pavement can be totally impassable in places to any wheelchair, mobility scooter or pushchair user or even anyone with mobility issues in general when it gets crowded.”
He added: “Widening the pavements and adding strategic features that visually narrow the width of the roadway also has the effect of naturally slowing drivers down.”
Lark Lane is situated near to the Sefton Park district, with access to the park itself from Aigburth Drive. Sefton Park is one of the largest parks in Liverpool at 235 acres, and is classified as Grade I on the English Heritage Register of Historic Parks and Gardens. It contains natural waterways and artificial lakes and ponds.
The park was created in the Victorian era after it was recognised that the health of the population was suffering from lack of access to open green spaces. At the time, the £250,000 that the Council spent on purchasing the land from Lord Sefton caused a public outcry for its perceived wastefulness.
However, the award winning park is now a hugely popular attraction for locals and visitors, and regularly used for sporting and entertainment purposes. The areas surrounding the Liverpool park are popular for rented office space and accommodation.