Great news! I have just got back from checking the path north of Southport District General Hospital beside Janes Brook. The trees that were blocking the path at its eastern end (where it meets Scarisbrick New Road) have been cleared. Though the sides of the path are overgrown it is quite passable and the surface is clear.

I will go over and check again tomorrow. I wanted to try out the cycle route but found it blocked (twice). I will try from the other direction.

I have been along there a couple of times recently and the route is not there because a factory is in its place. There is an overgrown footpath by the stream. At the other end of the route there is a bike path but I have not followed it to see if I can get through. I hope that this helps. Thank you for your reply.