![\"Carolyn](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0_Carolyn-Cox-mum-of-Ellis-Cox-and-aunty-of-Ellis-Julie-OToole-campaigning-for-more-lighting-on-the..webp\")
Carolyn Cox, mum of Ellis Cox and auntie of Ellis, Julie O’Toole campaigning for more lighting on the Loop Line(Image: Colin Lane\/Liverpool Echo)<\/p>\n“At night, you can’t see in front of you”Carolyn Cox, mum of Ellis Cox and auntie of Ellis, Julie O’Toole campaigning for more lighting on the Loop Line(Image: Colin Lane\/Liverpool Echo)<\/p>\n
A family say they struggle to sleep at night after their teenage relative was shot dead close to a popular walking and cycling route. The Liverpool Loop Line, also known as the Ralla, is a 10-mile path along a disused railway line in Merseyside.<\/p>\n
Traffic free for visitors and commuters, the popular route once belonged to British Rail but was abandoned in 1986, later being converted into a cycle path. It runs all the way from Halewood<\/a> to Aintree<\/a>. However, the Loop Line hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons in the summer of 2024<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ellis Cox, 19, was shot dead<\/a> late on June 23 2024, close to the Loop Line<\/a> on the Liver Industrial Estate<\/a>. The teenager headed out earlier that evening to go on a bike ride with four others on the Loop Line.<\/p>\n On their way back home, they were approached by “one to three males on two electric bikes” at around 10.50pm.<\/p>\n One of the group on the electric bikes opened fired three shots at Ellis’ group. Ellis, on a pedal bike, had attempted to leave the scene but was shot in the back. He was just minutes away from home.<\/p>\n Detectives have made six arrests in connection<\/a> with the murder but no-one has been charged, with Ellis\u2019s family and Merseyside Police citing a wall of silence from the community as being responsible for the lack of progress.<\/p>\n Another complexity is the Loop Line itself. Parts of the path are heavily overgrown and dimly lit. There wouldn\u2019t have been many people using it late on a Sunday night when Ellis was shot and the suspects were not captured on CCTV.<\/p>\n The next stage of the Cox family\u2019s campaign will take place on Friday November 28. The family will be handing out leaflets on the Loop Line.<\/p>\n As well as keeping the case in the public eye and raising awareness about the \u00a320,000 reward<\/a> for those who come forward with information about the murder, the family say they want to make the Ralla safer by installing more CCTV and lighting.<\/p>\n They hope this will prevent perpetrators of violence using the route as an easy way to escape.<\/p>\n The Loop Line is managed by the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust<\/a>, formerly known as Sustrans. The organisation says it is working closely with Merseyside Police on the best way to \u201cimprove perceived safety\u201d.<\/p>\n Speaking to the ECHO<\/a> about her concerns, Julie O\u2019Toole, Ellis Cox\u2019s auntie, said: “The 28th is actually about talking about the Loop Line and any concerns people have about the Loop Line itself.<\/p>\n “It\u2019s to raise awareness on ideas they have to make it safer. We want our community to come and help us.<\/p>\n “At night, you can’t see in front of you. It\u2019s frightening. It’s so dark that the Uber drivers have to wear lights on their heads. We know the police are working with Sustrans and giving recommendations on what needs to change.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to know what the community thinks as well. The charity very much stands by the claim that it’s a safe green space.<\/p>\n “It\u2019s about making it safer. I’ve been asking for what3words to be added, so that people can be located by police and crimes can be recorded more accurately.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Parts](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0_Carolyn-Cox-mum-of-Ellis-Cox-and-aunty-of-Ellis-Julie-OToole-campaigning-for-more-lighting-on-the..jpeg\")
Parts of the path are incredibly dark at night(Image: Colin Lane\/Liverpool Echo)<\/p>\n![\"Friends](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0_Ellis-Coxs-mother-Carolyn-Cox-hands-out-leaflets-calling-for-information-about-her-sons-murder-on..jpeg\")
Friends and family calling for information about Ellis Cox’s murder by the Loop Line last year(Image: Liverpool Echo)<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1763268260_115_0_Carolyn-Cox-mum-of-Ellis-Cox-and-aunty-of-Ellis-Julie-OToole-campaigning-for-more-lighting-on-the..jpeg\")
The managers of the Loop Line say they are working with Merseyside Police on the best ways to improve safety(Image: Colin Lane\/Liverpool Echo)<\/p>\n