Toxteth District

[AngelCake]

Lank Lane is middle class, Lodge is far from it. Lodge Lane will never be a Lark Lane. Cafes? On the pavement? There? Nah.....

It might be unlikely but it's better throwing out ideas rather than leaving it the way it is. Lodge Lane has a bad reputation at the moment and whenever I pass it always looks depressing.The local people deserve more

[AngelCake]

Thank you both Kev and AngelCake!

It does really amaze me that with the location, as you rightly say, has easy access to 2 parks (one being, in my opinion, the finest park in the North West) and a quick wander down the hill to town - that LCC have been shortsighted enough to allow an area like Lodge Lane slip under the radar for so many years.
I suspect that this will not be the case for much longer ... but I think this will be due to market forces more so than any real council policy.

Lodge Lane won't ever be a Lark Lane .... but I would like to think that there's a whole new vibrant road waiting to be reborn under it's own banner ....

If that proves to be the case, then it'll really be no thanks to the powers than be that have allowed it to stay run down for so long.

It will probably depend on who moves into Heyesmoor heights and whether they will complain about a lack of shops and other facilities.Lodge Lane has a bingo hall at the top,though!

[Ben]

I believe that you are right .... it will depend on the future residents of Heyesmoor Heights, and other developments to cater for the expanding 'close to city' area.

Market forces will dictate the future of Lodge Lane.

[Waterways]

I believe that you are right .... it will depend on the future residents of Heyesmoor Heights, and other developments to cater for the expanding 'close to city' area.

Market forces will dictate the future of Lodge Lane.

I once lived in Croxteth Rd. Very middle class, university people, etc. Lodge Lane was the nearest shopping road. People from the park end never ventured about half way up. Then it was 500% better than now, but still distinctly working class.

Middle class in the roads around the park. Working class off Lodge Lane itself.

[AngelCake]

I believe that you are right .... it will depend on the future residents of Heyesmoor Heights, and other developments to cater for the expanding 'close to city' area.

Market forces will dictate the future of Lodge Lane.

Is that Lodge Lane? From what end?

[AngelCake]

I once lived in Croxteth Rd. Very middle class, university people, etc. Lodge Lane was the nearest shopping road. People from the park end never ventured about half way up. Then it was 500% better than now, but still distinctly working class.

Middle class in the roads around the park. Working class off Lodge Lane itself.

Do you have a class obsession?! I don't believe in talking about class,just people (I know i'm in the minority)Lodge Lane has changed since the 50's,60's etc but it doesn't mean it should stay neglected."Working class" people need shops too

[Ben]

I once lived in Croxteth Rd. Very middle class, university people, etc. Lodge Lane was the nearest shopping road. People from the park end never ventured about half way up. Then it was 500% better than now, but still distinctly working class.

Middle class in the roads around the park. Working class off Lodge Lane itself.

I've lived off Lodge Lane for about 10 years (University life for about 4 years, working life the remaining 6).
It's not the garden of Eden (especially if you you have a distinctly Oxford accent like myself) but it offers what it can, and is not more treacherous than many other streets in Liverpool and elsewhere.
What the area can be, and what it once was are things that are obvious to the residents - not so to the onlookers (and the university class from the park end that don't fancy the remaining 50% of the walk up the lane ;-) )

[Waterways]

Do you have a class obsession?! I don't believe in talking about class,just people (I know i'm in the minority)Lodge Lane has changed since the 50's,60's etc but it doesn't mean it should stay neglected."Working class" people need shops too

I am addressing the point that Lodge Lane can be a Lark Lane. Forget it, it will not. Not unless the population in the streets off Lodge Lane are removed and new middle class homes built. Gentrification. That may happen, however it will take a long time.

[Ben]

Is that Lodge Lane? From what end?

Looking down towards the 'safe' Sefton Park end from the 'gangsta' Smithdown Road end (circa 1900 ish)

(PS I live the 'gangsta' road end, by all accounts ..... )

[Ben]

I am addressing the point that Lodge Lane can be a Lark Lane. Forget it, it will not. Not unless the population in the streets off Lodge Lane are removed and new middle class homes built. Gentrification. That may happen, however it will take a long time.

I realise that I may be jumping in on a point that you are making that's just part of your debate with AngelCake - but, if you don't mind me asking, would you consider the gentrification (your word) of Lodge Lane a good thing?

[AngelCake]

I am addressing the point that Lodge Lane can be a Lark Lane. Forget it, it will not. Not unless the population in the streets off Lodge Lane are removed and new middle class homes built. Gentrification. That may happen, however it will take a long time.

As I said in an earlier post, my Lark Lane comment was just throwing out an idea instead of constant negativity.Removing people from their homes to make way for a different type of person is wrong and Social engineering at its worst

[AngelCake]

Looking down towards the 'safe' Sefton Park end from the 'gangsta' Smithdown Road end (circa 1900 ish)

(PS I live the 'gangsta' road end, by all accounts ..... )

An Oxford man living in a gangster road?! Sounds like the start of a play
All cities have run down areas but for some reason Liverpool is judged to be the worst,even before the riots in 1981

[Waterways]

I realise that I may be jumping in on a point that you are making that's just part of your debate with AngelCake - but, if you don't mind me asking, would you consider the gentrification (your word) of Lodge Lane a good thing?

Yes. All roads that run onto the parks should be appealing.

[Ben]

An Oxford man living in a gangster road?! Sounds like the start of a play
All cities have run down areas but for some reason Liverpool is judged to be the worst,even before the riots in 1981

Indeed.
I didn't want to get drawn in to a debate defending the poorer parts of Lodge Lane which are, as Waterways pointed out, the Smithdown Road end.
I thought it illustrated my point a little though, how such a prime location road/area can evoke such emotions amongst those who do not live here.

There are places in Liverpool I consider personal 'no go' areas that no doubt someone on here will be happy to champion as areas just starved government attention. I'd be surprised if I found out they were in such close proximity to the town centre and the city's largest park however...

[Ben]

Yes. All roads that run onto the parks should be appealing.

Appealing to whom?