Merseyside’s transport problems have provoked a great deal of debate among the national parties – but do their solutions offer anything new to the long-suffering traveller? Peter Elson reports

CLLR FLO CLUCAS, deputy leader of Liverpool City Council’s ruling Lib-Dems and Parliamentary candidate for Knowsley, is also a fan of the High Speed Rail Link – as backed in the national party’s election manifesto – but she is keen on local services, too.

“We should re-open the Burscough curves, so rail travellers can travel more easily between Southport, Preston, Ormskirk and Liverpool,” said Cllr Clucas.

“We should get old buses belching fumes off the road with a scrappage scheme and replace them with new, greener buses. It’s essential to reduce fuel duty and bring in more fuel-efficient vehicles. We should get rid of vehicle tax and introduce road pricing so those that use roads most, cause more damage and pollution should pay more. However, road pricing in our area, say on the M57, would not be the same high rate as in Birmingham, with its greater congestion.”

An integrated view was needed, given how many people have returned to rail from road. “But this has led to a big increase in the problems of trying to get to and from better railway stations – we need better linkages by buses. We do have a very good local rail network, but it needs investment and this will pay huge dividends.

“The Merseytram project was a difficult situation, as, if we were going to get approval, the Government would have done it before the election. The Conservatives will say ‘no’, Labour will vacillate and then say ‘no’.”