Save Rimrose Valley
- Apr 1, 2019
- 2 min read

Pedal Power through Rimrose Valley

Sefton cyclists gathered on Rimrose Valley on Saturday, 23rdMarch to show their opposition to plans to build a dual carriageway through the popular country park. They joined riders taking part in a “Cycle Safari” event, organised by Merseyside Environmental Trust as part of the Liverpool City Region’s Year of Environment initiative [1].

On their way to the Sefton Coastal Path, participants stopped to learn more about the campaign, talk about their passion for cycling and to pick up leaflets and maps provided by Active Travel Sefton promoting cycling in the region.

A local cycle shop, College Cycles, was also on hand to offer free bike maintenance and drinks bottles to all riders.

Don Thompson from the Merseyside Cycling Campaign

Speaking about the impact the proposed road would have on cyclists, event leader, Don Thompson from Merseyside Cycling Campaign [2] said:

“It’s an important cycle route. Lots of people use it to commute to work, to the shops and to visit relatives. Whether it’s used for business or leisure, it will be a terrible loss.

“Air pollution is on the agenda and Merseytravel is trying to do something about it. ‘Doing something about it’ in my book isn’t to increase traffic – it’s to look at alternatives.

“You’ve got to be looking at better public transport systems and moving freight onto rail. That’s the way forward and it beggars belief why Highways England hasn’t gone that way.”

Owner of College Cycles, Jonathan Bolton added:

Jonathan Bolton of College Cycles

“Green space means a lot to us all. Families and kids want somewhere to take their bikes and this local event is something we wanted to support.

“We hear a lot about the accidents people have on their bikes when cycling on main roads.

Having somewhere people can venture off the road and avoid all the traffic is a much safer environment for everyone.

Obviously, cycling is great for health keeping people fit. If we lost this area, it may deter a lot of people from getting out and using their bikes.”

Stuart Bennett of the Save Rimrose Valley Campaign said:

“Today was a really simple, but effective way of showing how Highways England’s proposed road would negatively impact the huge number of people who use Rimrose Valley for cycling.

“A cycle lane next to a dual carriageway, filled with highly-polluting HGVs is no compensation for the loss people will suffer. Cyclists want a safe, peaceful place to ride and to breathe clean air in the process. This is exactly what Rimrose provides today. Highways England wants to destroy all of that.