The decision to cancel the road through Rimrose Valley was ultimately a political one, so it’s important that we continue to engage with the political process and keep Rimrose Valley AND port access on the agenda.
So, as we’ve done for local, general and mayoral elections over the past 9 years, we’ve approached each of the main parties for a statement and are sharing these here, in alphabetical order.
We also approached the Lib Dems, but received no response.
If this issue is important to you, please ask candidates for their views, so they can be held to account in the future.
This applies to parties of any size, and all independent candidates.
Conservatives
Full statement:
In an increasingly urban environment locally, it’s important that we look to preserve and protect our green spaces across all of Sefton, including Rimrose Valley.
The Port of Liverpool is one of the economic engines of the region; providing jobs, opportunities and the chance to raise local living standards through increased prosperity.
This is urgently needed as, sadly, under this Labour government we are seeing rising unemployment and the life chances of many, especially young people, being damaged.
The ever increasing volumes of traffic from Switch Island, along Dunnings Bridge Road and Church Road up to the Port of Liverpool are also placing increased pressures on local infrastructure and impacting the quality of life those who live on the route.
The cancellation of the previous Port of Liverpool Access Road proposal has not been replaced with any alternative plan. To be clear, we believe that the use of rail freight and road tunnels could be incorporated into a plan to both protect Rimrose Valley and alleviate issues for local residents.
The current Labour government has failed to put forward a viable alternative proposal which is urgently needed. It’s imperative that this is done to safeguard the long term future of Rimrose Valley as a valued community green space and to address the legitimate concerns raised by the thousands of people who live along the route.
Local Labour politicians were quick to criticise the previous proposal without putting forward any alternative.
The job of government, locally and nationally, is to offer solutions and deliver improvements, so far we’ve not see that from Labour.
Full statement:
The cancellation of the Port of Liverpool access road through Rimrose Valley was a major community victory, won through years of determined campaigning by residents, local groups, local politicians and environmental voices across Sefton. That decision must now be protected. Government and National Highways need to make an unwavering public commitment that this destructive road scheme will not be revived in any form, now or in the future.
But protecting Rimrose Valley is only half the story. We urgently need a credible, sustainable freight strategy that actually tackles the root of the problem: the growing volume of port‑related HGV traffic forced through our communities. That means serious investment in rail freight, river‑based alternatives, and measures to reduce HGV dependency, not reheated road‑building plans that would simply deepen the environmental and health impacts already felt by people living near the port.
Local communities should not have to sacrifice their green space or their health to make up for years of government inaction. Greens will continue support the push for real solutions that cut emissions, reduce congestion, and protect both Rimrose Valley and the residents who rely on it.
Full statement:
Sefton Labour is delighted that because of many years of dedication and joint campaigning with Save Rimrose Valley Campaign, Bootle Labour MP, Peter Dowd, and Sefton Council our beloved valley has been saved for generations to come.
Rimrose Valley is such an asset for local people and a haven for wildlife. It would have been a tragedy if we had lost this precious green space to the building of a bypass to the port, that residents made very clear they did not want.
But now that the battle has been won, we must look to the future. Building on the partnership that saved the Valley, Sefton Council’s Green Sefton service and rangers are working in partnership with Rimrose Valley Friends to help deliver the long term improvement and vision for the park that is so important for our communities.
Sefton Labour has always supported Rimrose Valley and will continue to do so. And to demonstrate our commitment, the Labour led council made a grant of £20,000 to support the work of Rimrose Valley Friends. But most importantly, we would like to thank all the volunteers who help look after the park. This is a true team effort.
Full statement:
As above