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PRESS RELEASE: Labour Party reshuffle offers new hope to campaigners


Bill Esterson: The MP for Sefton Central has been appointed Shadow Roads Minister


For immediate release Thursday, 7th September, 2023

Press release

Labour Party reshuffle offers new hope to Liverpool campaigners

Sefton Central MP, Bill Esterson, has been appointed Shadow Roads Minister [1] in the Labour Party’s recent reshuffle, offering new hope to campaigners in North Liverpool.

Esterson has been a long-standing, vocal opponent of National Highways’ controversial Port of Liverpool Access Road [2], which would sever Rimrose Valley Country Park in two.

He has repeatedly called for the scheme to be scrapped and for improved rail links to be delivered instead. He has also highlighted the disparity between the life expectancy of those living alongside the existing port access corridor in Peter Dowd’s neighbouring Bootle constituency, and his own [3].

Reacting to this latest development, Stuart Bennett of Save Rimrose Valley [4] said:

“We would like to offer our congratulations to Bill for this promotion. He has backed our campaign from the very beginning. He understands the need to protect vital green spaces like Rimrose Valley, whilst also improving conditions for those living along the existing Port of Liverpool Access route.

“The current Government has been tone deaf to our calls to put forward better alternatives. This appointment represents an exciting opportunity to deliver a genuinely progressive and sustainable solution to port access right here in Liverpool.

“We also hope that Bill’s knowledge will bring some much-needed scrutiny to the government's roadbuilding plans across England and a complete rethink on the role of National Highways in an era of climate emergency.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

[1] The Labour Party’s new Shadow Cabinet:

[2] Project page for A5036 Port of Liverpool Access Scheme:

[3] Bill Esterson speaking at Save Rimrose Valley demonstration in 2021:

[4] For details of the Save Rimrose Valley campaign, visit website: https://www.saverimrosevalley.org/

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