People say Mill Lane traffic is 'dangerous joke' as they demand action

The sheer volume of cars on Mill Lane has led residents to form an action group calling on Liverpool City Council to intervene

Parking on Mill Lane, West Derby

Liverpool Echo readers agree that congestion on Mill Lane, a key West Derby route, has reached "breaking point," with tailbacks stretching "about 1,000 yards" from traffic lights during peak hours. The heavy traffic has prompted local residents to form a campaign group urging Liverpool City Council to take action.

David Yates, founder of the group, said: "Mill Lane is one of the oldest roads in West Derby and is simply not designed for it. Morning traffic stretches 800 to 1,000 yards from the lights, with cars even doing three-point turns to escape the jam."

He cited several causes for the congestion, including changes to traffic flow from a new entrance and car park at Holly Lodge Girls School, a zebra crossing near the school, increased pedestrian activity, and large groups of children at two bus stops outside 99 Mill Lane.

David, who helped set up the residents group in 2022, added that matchdays make matters worse, he said: "When Liverpool or Everton play at home, traffic backs up 800 yards onto Barnfield Drive to the junction with Town Row." Weekend games are further complicated by cars parked illegally on double yellow lines.

He also pointed to the Queens Drive retail park development at the Mill Lane junction, which has increased traffic and strained traffic lights during busy periods.

A Liverpool City Council spokesperson said: "We appreciate feedback from residents and community groups and take steps to ease or mitigate traffic where possible. We also consider local impacts when reviewing planning applications, including traffic in surrounding areas."

Commenter Rlfan75 said: “The Loop line needs putting back in as a Merseyrail route from Hunts Cross to Bootle. West Derby really needs a station to relieve some of the traffic, along with Gateacre and Broadway.”

Inspector71 said: “The council should never have allowed the retail development on Queens Drive which has generated an additional change of traffic lights in the sequence of an already busy major junction and which is the main reason for the chaos as the location is wholly unsuitable.”

Paunch believes: “Can you really call a car park with just an Aldi and a mini M&S a 'Retail Park'? Whatever, Mill Lane should be buses only between 7am and 7pm OR turn it into one of those new School Streets. The bottom line is there are too many cars on the roads.”

Dave Sadler said: “It’s the same everywhere, chaos designed to push people out of cars and onto public transport. The problem is, your job could be miles away with no way to get there by bus or train. Endless roadworks and speed reductions just make congestion worse."

Liveey Gill thinks: “Walton Vale is beyond broken, it isn’t just at breaking point, it has become a dangerous joke.’

Do you think enough is being done to tackle Mill Lane congestion, or is it time for bigger changes? Share your thoughts below.

© Liverpool Echo