On 4th May we all get to vote for the first Liverpool City Region Mayor.  Some of our supporters have expressed interest in finding out what the position is of each candidate on the threat of the road through Rimrose Valley.
We wrote to each mayoral candidate and asked for a written response. Click here to see what we sent out.

We received replies from Labour, The Greens, UKIP and TUSC.  We didn’t receive replies from The Conservatives, Liberal Democrats or the Women’s Equality Party.

We weren’t able to get in touch with the “Get The Coppers Off The Jury” candidate to put the question to him…

Their responses are as follows, in order of quickest response first:

Paula Walters – UK Independence Party

Thank you for your e mail.  To respond to your question, I think that there can never be a good enough reason for the use of green belt land or open spaces, if the powers that be carry on as they have we will end up living in a concrete jungle.  Until the mayoral election all my efforts as a candidate for council have focused on the Wirral so I am not familiar with your area, it sounds lovely.  So no, I would not be advocating digging it up to make way for traffic which will cause disruption to wildlife, noise and pollution.  If I am not successful, I wish you luck in your efforts to prevent this

Best regards

Paula

Roger Bannister – Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition

Dear Colleagues

Thank you for your enquiry, and I share your concerns about the threat to the land in Rimrose Valley.

I have looked at the online information provided by the Sefton Communities Against Roadbuilding and find it to be well researched, thorough and pointing out clear alternatives to this road plan.

Of particular importance is its emphasis on alternatives to road transportation, using railways and looking for a better, coordinated transport system. (It is one of my policies to chase up the funding for the tram system that disappeared several years ago), and I am in favour of retaining guards on the Merseyrail network, both of which will encourage public transport use.

Whilst being outside of the remit of the Mayor, I support the renationalisation of our rail network, which would facilitate coordination and give overall direction to a comprehensive, integrated public transport system for our city region.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require further clarification.

Yours sincerely

Roger Bannister

TUSC Candidate

Steve Rotheram – Labour Party

I am replying on behalf of Steve Rotheram, Labour candidate for the Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor.

As you may know, the council is advocating the idea of a tunnel to alleviate the congestion and air quality issues suffered on Dunnings Bridge Road, a situation that is only likely to get worse with the advent of the Post Panamax Liverpool 2 Super Port. However, the expectation seems to be that the Highways Agency will fail to come up with a scheme that makes much impact in diverting traffic flow from the current A5036 route.

This is clearly a serious strategic issue for our city region and improving air quality is going to be one of the severest challenges faced by the incoming Metro Mayor. As Steve sets out in his manifesto, he believes the right long-term solution is to shift much more freight onto rail, hence the reference to the Bootle/North Liverpool rail loop (page 22). Upgrading this line would also support the introduction of passenger services on this route, which would be another ‘win’ in terms of air quality.

Steve’s manifesto can be viewed here:

http://www.steverotheram.com/manifesto/

I hope this is helpful.

Best wishes

Olly Martins
Head of Policy
Steve Rotheram for Metro Mayor
c/o CWU, 47 Seymour Terrace L3 5PE
t. 0151 708 5355
www.steverotheram.com

Tom Crone – Green Party

Just over 12 months ago I visited Rimrose Valley with the then Green Party Leader, Natalie Bennett, to meet with and talk with some of the residents who live close to and enjoy the park.  They passionately expressed their love for the unique green treasure in the midst of so many communities. The Sefton Greens have kept me informed as to the further consultation and the various options suggested by Highways England.  I returned to talk to local television news about the threat posed by the increase in the already heavy road pollution that locals suffer on a daily basis and to again appeal to the Port of Liverpool and Sefton Council to think of the health impact.   In the Autumn I was with Caroline Lucas, Green Party co-leader, and local greens to visit the Seaforth Port entrance and saw, heard and experienced the pollution causing port traffic.

Parks and local green spaces have be shown to be fundamental to our wellbeing providing the opportunity for communities to integrate, relax, exercise and play. We need to make sure all Liverpool City Region residents are within easy reach of parks, play areas and green spaces. Any plan to push a dual-carriageway full of HGV’s has to be fought and defeated.  I have heard that the idea of a road tunnel has been raised and I do not see that as a way to eradicate the traffic pollution.

As Metro Mayor I will begin consultation immediately on introducing emergency traffic-reduction measures to protect people from the air pollution.  I will work with Sefton Council to obtain a commitment that all developments are air quality neutral and require new developments to reduce air pollution in the most heavily polluted areas

As the Metro Mayor a priority would be to direct the rail grants to rail freight provision from the port as far too much HGV traffic is currently and planned to be generated by the Port of Liverpool as we cannot  allow the significant impact to continue.

Tom Crone

The RVF Core team hope this is of some help to those of you who may be as yet undecided.

Thanks for your support