The UK's first fast lane for pedestrians has been rolled out in Liverpool

Picture the scene: slaloming between dawdling shoppers and texting teens, you keep a wary eye on the huddle of tourists forming a mini blockade outside the shop you want to go into, trying not to break stride as you take a sharp turn and suddenly find yourself locked in a human game of Frogger.

Sound familiar? It should – between overpopulation, general overcrowding and people who still walk with their phones out, the hustle and bustle of the high street is more of a minefield than ever.

Not for much longer...

In the most ironic news of the day, Liverpool, the city that never walks alone, is asking some of its speedier walkers to do just that, having just rolled out the UK's first ever pedestrian fast lane on St John's Street.

Leading shoppers into the Liverpool One shopping complex, it comes in response to an Argos study claiming 47 per cent of the nation finds slow walking the most vexing aspect of high street shopping, and, let's face it, a few other major cities could benefit from something similar too.

And sure, some cynics may say it’s a shrewd effort to boost visitor numbers to Argos ahead of the Christmas sales, and he branding means they're probably right, but still - it’s nothing but practical.

Besides, PR stunt or not, it will never match the cleverness of one nearby store - for that award goes to Everton’s second football shop. The address? Everton Two, Liverpool One.