Sefton Welcomes Its First CYLOPS Junction Along A59

Sefton now has its first CYLOPS (Cycle Optimised Protected Signal) junction as part of the recently completed improvements on the A59 at Kenyons Lane.

As well as creating the new CYCLOPS junction, the improvements mean there are now segregated cycle routes along both sides of the A59 between Dodds Lane and Robbins Island roundabout. 

Plus there are new controlled crossings around Robbins Roundabout, improved highway and footway works on Kenyons Lane and the speed limit has been reduced from 60mph to 40mph.

Sefton Council and contractor Dowhigh have carried out these improvements for both pedestrians and cyclists using £5 million from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s Sustainable Transport Settlement.

Before the improvements, there was no controlled crossing at the A59 Kenyons Lane junction, which is a busy main road.

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Cabinet Member for Skills, Regeneration and Economy said:
“What was previously quite an unpleasant crossing is now much, much safer. 

“With homes on both sides of the A59, and the new Bellway development on the corner, there are many people who need and want to cross this road on a regular basis and they can now do this without risk.

“Whether they are children walking or cycling to their local primary school or dog walkers visiting the local park or pop to a local shop, the new crossing gives all of them much better levels of safety.

“It can also give local children their independence, knowing their route to school is doesn’t involve waiting for a gap on the A59 and dicing with oncoming traffic.”

Sefton Council, with contractor Dowhigh and Peloton Liverpool Collective, invited local primary schools to try out the new CYLOPS junction. Pupils from Northway Primary School were shown by Peloton, a local community collective dedicated to promoting safe and accessible bike use, on how to use the junction. 

The outer green ring of the junction is a segregated cycle path, acting like a roundabout with signal-controlled crossings. This means cyclists can cross over the junction or make right turns without interfering with motorists or pedestrians, who take a more direct route. 

Further improvements have also increased capacity on Kenyons Lane ahead of the new local housing development, and introduce a separate right turn lane on junction, making it safer to turn into Kenyons Lane from the A59. 

Cllr Daren Veidman, Cabinet Member for Housing and Highways said:
“This scheme is a great example of anticipating future capacity and major safety improvements that benefit everyone travelling in the area, from pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. 

“We’re proud to have delivered a scheme that will make such a difference to people in the area.“