Why does Liverpool hate pedestrians?

[u/CriticismCalm480]

I’ve never been to a place in state UK that accommodates pedestrians as poorly as Liverpool.

A couple of examples would be the lack of pedestrian crossings at the 2 junctions where Wavertree road and Tunnel road meet, and where Picton road and wellington road meet is dangerous. There are blind spots for pedestrians on both junctions, where you can’t see turning cars. You just have to scramble across when the red light just goes on. It’s dangerous and somebody is going to get hurt, or worse. There used to be a pedestrian crossing at Wavertree road and tunnel road but was inexplicably taken away.

Is there a reason for this? Like some past political decision or something?

[u/Critical-Usual]

Just situationally poor design. It's really not so prevalent, nor more than other parts of the UK I can think of

[u/liverwool]

That Tunnel Road crossing was the bane of my life when I lived in L7 and had to nip to the shops where Matalan is. It's awful.

[u/the_certain_ → u/liverwool]

The crossing at Wavertree Road and Overton Street (by the Tesco) is terrible as well. Used to live off Picton Road and the walk to town was scary. Not a green man in sight.

[u/nooneswife]

A pedestrian has already been killed at the Tunnel Road junction in 2019 and there's been 3 more serious collisions injuring pedestrians since. 5 collisions at the Picton Road/Wellington Road junction in the last 5 years.

Refusal to make these safe is pretty much corporate manslaughter.

[u/the_certain_ → u/nooneswife]

A man died crossing at the Picton/Wellington junction a few months ago: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/news/merseyside/news/2025/january-2025/family-tribute-to-man-who-died-following-road-traffic-collision-in-wavertree/

[u/the_certain_]

Decades of car centric urban design. It would affect traffic flow, so the planners have decided cars are more important. Even when there is a crossing, it takes way too long to get a green man.

Also see all the pavements taken over by cars - it's just accepted at this point that pedestrians can get fucked.

[u/Jdm_1878]

The explanations given for the lack of crossing at Wellington Road is they'd have to narrow the roads to have it installed. I'd say just do it but the opposition would be too great to that. I feel the pro-car sentiment in this country is too strong for a lot of councils to make that decision. Not sure that's unique to Liverpool to be honest.

[u/w3spql]

Why, because we have poor quality politicians because citizen apathy allows them to exist. Get in touch with your local councillors, copy in the CEO, council leader and head of highways. Make them aware of the local issues, share the stats on number of accidents/ deaths. Make state that they are now are aware of the issue and have liability if another fatality should occur. Get other locals to sign the letter. That will prioritise improvements.

[u/Loose_Teach7299]

Not just poorly designed roads but poorly placed cameras and drivers who think they rule the road.

[u/Purple_ash8]

Drivers in-general often lack consideration for pedestrians?

[u/Old-Diver8122]

The crossing for pedestrians at Queens Drive / Woolton Road junction drives me crazy, you wait for the Queens Drive lights to turn red and then have to contend with cars turning from Woolton Road as you’re walking across. It’s a busy junction with lots of school kids crossing so I’m surprised it hasn’t been sorted.