PLI version Southport Seafront SPG - Sefton Council

Provision for walking is covered in Section 5.5 above. The principles of
barrier-free access must be taken into account in any development that takes
place in the Seafront because of the number and range of people using it,
and to ensure that no-one is excluded from enjoying its benefits. Specific
guidance and advice on this matter is set out in the SPG “Designing for
Everyone”. There are two strategic recreation routes passing through the
Seafront (see draft Policy G7).The Sefton Coast Footpath follows the line of
Rotten Row, the Lower Promenade, the Promenade and Fairway. The Trans-
Pennine Trail follows the coast road to its terminus on the Floodwall. These
routes must be taken into account in the planning and design of new
development and improvements to the public realm, and provision made for
signing, and connecting local routes.
8.3) Cycling
The Trans-Pennine Trail (see above) terminates in the Seafront. Several
roads in the Seafront have been identified as part of the local cycle network
Provision for cycling must be included in all new development.
8.4) Parking
There is substantial provision for parking in and adjacent to the Seafront
including the Park and Ride facilities at the Esplanade and Fairway. For this
reason it is not considered that new development needs extensive additional
provision. The parking requirements of the main development areas are
outlined in Section 6 above. Where necessary, developments may be
required to contribute to the provision and servicing of off-site parking
arrangements.
8.5) Buses and coaches
Access to the Seafront by public transport will be substantially improved
following the completion of Marine Parade Bridge, allowing a ‘figure-of-eight’
routing which will bring most sites within a 400m distance of a bus route. Bus
lay-bys and coach drop-off points must be provided in the design of individual
development sites if required.
8.6) Transportation within the Seafront
The Pier tram is both entertainment and transport. The mid pier stop at
Marine Drive is planned to serve the Ocean Plaza complex. It is important to
enhance the Promenade station to recognise the function of the Tram. This is
referred to in the section on Funland in Section 6 above. The miniature
railway is primarily entertainment, but its potential as a means of transport
has not been fully exploited. Proposals for extension or better facilities in this
respect would be encouraged. The Marine Lake also offers a chance of
combining entertainment and transport through, for example, a water taxi
serving lakeside developments. Facilities to provide for this (jetties etc) would
be encouraged.
8.7) Links to the Town Centre
A specific objective of the Action Plan is to forge better physical links between
the Town Centre and the Seafront to ensure a freer exchange of visitors
between both. The Southport Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) will be