Campaigners claim the government has snubbed their concerns over controversial plans.
The Save Rimrose Valley group has been tirelessly fighting plans for a new road which would see the South Sefton park turned into a dual carriageway.
The group wrote to the newly appointed Secretary of State at the Department of Transport, Trudy Harrison, in December pleading with her to take alternative plans into consideration.
READ MORE: Baby dies in arms of parents after tragic news at 16 week scan
The letter heavily referenced a recent report, published by ARUP and Sefton Council, that explores an alternative solution to Highways England's current plan.
The report, published in June 2020, makes comparisons to the Port of Rotterdam and Port of Antwerp which have "extended port gates using barges on existing waterways and created a network of inland ports fed by road transport". This helps reduce congestion in the area.
The report also notes that moving freight by rail rather than road produces 3.4 times less CO2 per tonne-km (70% fewer carbon emissions).
Despite the letter - available to read in full here - asking for the minister's views on the issue, Ms Harrison replied in a letter to the group, saying she has delegated it to the Department’s Strategic Roads division due to the volume of emails she receives.
Furious campaigners described the move as a "snub"
Speaking on behalf of the Save Rimrose Valley campaign, Stuart Bennett labelled it the "wrong solution" with the department taking up a "computer says no" mentality.
He said: “We wrote to the Minister in good faith, asking for her help. We did so because her responsibilities include decarbonising transport, the environment (including air quality) and the future of freight. All these things have a direct link to our situation and should have offered a perfect opportunity to engage with us.
“We were staggered to find that this was deferred to the very people whose responsibility it is to deliver road projects and nothing else. Their starting point is that the road proposal is a done deal.
"They cannot entertain the thought that they are pursuing the wrong solution, in the wrong place, at the wrong time. Why would they? They aren’t paid to do so. Asking them to reply to our letter is the equivalent of getting them to mark their own homework."
He continued: “This ‘computer says no’ mentality is identical to previous interactions and correspondence with other Transport Ministers and National Highways. It is not only embarrassing but also infuriating. Where is the accountability? As for ‘levelling up’, this government only appears to be interested in ‘the north’ when it wants votes.
"Is Liverpool being penalised for not returning any Conservative MPs? Is this how democracy works? We will not let this matter rest.”
Bootle MP Peter Dowd responded: “Yet again, a response to valid concerns expressed by worried residents and campaigners about ploughing up vital green space is dismissive and patronising.
"Both Transport Ministers and National Highways really do need to engage with the deep and well-founded concerns of residents about a proposed scheme which is at least 20 years out of date given the challenges we are all facing through climate change.”
A DfT spokesperson said: “This scheme is a key part of our Road Investment Strategy, but will be subject to public consultation and the usual planning process prior to any decision being made.”
The Department for Transport was also keen to stress the letter in question outlines the Department’s policy and do not pre-determine the outcome of any decision surrounding road schemes.
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
