Matt Edwards, Transport Spokesperson. The Green Party.
The Green Party strongly opposes plans to construct a new road through Rimrose Valley Country Park in the borough of Sefton, Merseyside. We believe there are better ways to improve transport links to and from the Port of Liverpool which would avoid the long-term consequences and harm to the local environment and to the health and well-being of the surrounding communities.
The proposed road would worsen air quality in South Sefton, which already has some of the worst levels of pollution in the country and therefore represent a grave threat to public health. The CO2 emissions generated through its construction and subsequent use would contribute to the global climate emergency, at a time when the transport sector urgently needs to reduce its CO2 emissions; it being the only sector to see emissions grow in recent years.
Rimrose Valley, and places like it, serve as a vital green space for the surrounding communities, and offer a sanctuary for residents to connect with nature, engage in recreational activities, and find solace amidst the hustle and bustle of urban life. As such, they need to be recognised and protected as resources for both physical and mental well-being. It is the Green Party’s view that we must prioritise the preservation of such green spaces, which are increasingly rare in our rapidly urbanised world.
Green spaces such as Rimrose Valley are home to a rich and diverse range of plant and animal species, making them essential habitats for our biodiversity to thrive. This biodiversity is under threat. We therefore have a responsibility to protect and preserve such places, as they contribute to the overall health and resilience of our planet’s ecosystems.
Building a road through this park would further perpetuate the mindset of prioritising economic growth over environmental sustainability and public health and wellbeing.
It is the Green Party’s view that we must strive for alternative solutions that promote responsible, sustainable development and ensure the preservation of our natural assets, at all costs.