Liverpool E-scooter trial:- new measures introduced to improve safety

A set of new measures are being introduced to help improve the safety of the e-scooter trial underway within Liverpool; includingthe introduction of new mandatory parking zones and reduced hours of operation during weekends.

Launched in October 2020, the scheme has been both successful and highly popular; with more than 800,000 rides taken so far and over 1.8 million miles travelled by users of the pilot.

While almost all rides are completed safely with e-scooters parked correctly, with action taken against users who do not follow the rules, public feedback continues to be taken into consideration as the trial progresses.

Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram recently visited the Liverpool offices and warehouse of e-scooter operator Voi to discuss some of the issues raised by local people around the scheme and explore how to make the trial even safer as it continues to grow in popularity.

Following the meeting Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Liverpool City Council and Voi have worked together on a set of changes to the way the pilot operates, including:-

► New parking bays. New painted parking bays added across Liverpool, with a plans for more than 400 over the coming months; and ₤25 fines will continue to be issued for illegal or dangerous parking...

► Limits at weekends. At weekends use of the e-scooters will be more controlled, with certain additional areas designated as 'no riding zones' and a full stop of the service after 9pm, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday...

► Strike policy strengthened. Stronger enforcement of Voi's strike policy; users breaking rules of the road will be issued temporary (1 week, 1 month) or permanent bans...

► Move to fixed parking model. Shift over the summer from free floating model, where users can park wherever they choose within reason, to one where they will be required to park in specific parking zones in most areas.

Voi have also increased the number of its ambassadors on the ground, in Liverpool, to help improve the safety of the trial. The company has also begun to host free safety and training events in the City with more planned over the coming months.  All users of the e-scooters must be over 18 and have at least a provisional driving license, with it being an offence to allow any younger people to use their account to unlock the vehicles. Private e-scooters are not covered by the trial and remain illegal to use on all public roads.

Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said:- "As part of my plans for an integrated London style transport network, I want to increase the number of cheap, quick and green travel options available to people in our Region. E-scooters offer residents and visitors alike a quick and convenient way to get around the City Centre and surrounding areas, and the since the trial launched 9 months ago I'm told that it has become one of the most popular schemes in Europe. However, it's vital that e-scooters are used safely and properly and following discussions with Voi, I'm pleased to say that they are going to make changes to how the scooters are used and try to address some of the safety worries that people have brought to my attention."

Councillor Daniel Barrington, Cabinet Member, Climate Change and Environment at Liverpool City Council said:- "When used correctly, Voi e-scooters are a convenient and eco friendly way of moving people around the City. As with any pilot, we will continue to monitor and address any concerns raised about the scheme and I welcome the changes being made. There are always lessons to be learned, and we're committed to improving the scheme and the experience of riders, pedestrians and other road users in Liverpool."

According to Voi data, e-scooters rides have replaced over 275,000 private car trips in Liverpool, saving over 248 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

The most popular areas to ride a Voi e-scooter are around public transport locations including:- Liverpool Central Station, Liverpool One Bus Station, Liverpool James Street and Pier Head, suggesting that many riders are using e-scooter journeys as part of longer journeys using the wider public transport network.

Jack Samler, General Manager at Voi Technology UK and Ireland, said:- "Our number one priority at Voi is to keep our riders and the wider community safe. We are continually looking at how to improve our vehicles, operations and technology to positively encourage responsible riding habits, whilst taking action against instances of misuse. It is an exciting time for urban transportation and we will continue to work closely with the Combined Authority and Liverpool City Council to ensure this new and environmentally friendly mode of transport can continue to replace short car rides, creating a healthier and greener City for all."

Voi continues to encourage people to report any instances of misuse or misplaced scooters via its report a scooter page.
 

2 New LGBTQ Works Announced For Little LTF In Liverpool

THE inaugural new works festival Little LTF, which will be staged in just 4 weeks, will feature 2 LGBTQ themed shows being premiered in Liverpool this Summer. The 2 shows form part of a 14 strong programme of new productions which have been specially selected by a panel of industry experts. The announcement coincides with June being Pride Month 2021.

Little LTF will run for 7 days between:- Monday, 12 July and Sunday, 18 July 2021. Audiences are reassured that the festival and programme will continue as planned, despite a delay in the lifting of remaining lockdown restrictions. Genres represented in the diverse and inclusive programme covers:- Black arts, cabaret, comedy, disability arts, drama, family entertainment, LGBTQ, mental health, and musical theatre.

Little LTF is a new strand and sister event to the hugely successful Liverpool Theatre Festival, which was 1st staged, back in September 2020, in response to an ongoing need for live entertainment during Covid19.

The outdoor festival at St Luke's Bombed Out Church in Liverpool City centre was created by Liverpool theatre producer Bill Elms, who stepped in to bring entertainment back to audiences after theatres across the country were ordered to close their doors as part of the first Coronavirus lockdown in March 2020.

Shows flying the rainbow flag for the LGBTQ community are:- 'This Skin Of Mine' and '12; The Rainbow Monologues Live.' Tickets are on sale now.

'This Skin Of Mine' is an outrageous dark comedy exploring the aspects of what it means to be Black and transgender, written and directed by award winning creative Kai Jolley and artistic advisor Mzz Kimberley (Kim Tatum). Kim is a regular on the main stage at London Gay Pride, a judge for:- Pride's Got Talent, and hosts Brighton Gay Pride. The cast features Eden Jodie and Janelle Thompson. It will be performed, on Thursday, 15 July 2021, at 6pm. Suitable for audiences aged 16 upwards. Tickets are ₤14.

'This Skin Of Mine;' estranged siblings Barry and Sarah immediately bare their acrylics ready for the attack but soon realise they have a lot more in common than they'd care to admit; and not just their bust size! Expect high heel shoes, broken nails, and plenty of wine. This outrageous dark comedy takes on hard hitting themes head on, including the difficulty of self love, abuse, race, and transgender equality. Audiences will experience a wonderfully awkward world where comedy can be found in the darkest of places, while going on an enlightening journey of self discovery, appreciation for family, and overcoming hardships.

Budding new talent Eden Jodie plays Sarah; a bold, intelligent and brash transgender woman, whose journey transitioning into a woman was only the 1st step in truly finding love for herself. Eden is a gender fluid independent artist currently studying at award winning part time drama School IDSA. The enthusiastic Janelle Thompson will play the role of Barry; a heartfelt, naive and emotional young woman, who wears her heart on her sleeve. Janelle, who is based in the North West, has more than 20 years industry experience working with:- Limehouse Films, Lancashire People's Theatre, and Iron Pier Films to name a few.

Writer and producer Kai Jolley explained:- "We are thrilled to be part of Little LTF and hope to make a lasting impact on an audience that thrives on dark humour. Liverpool is full of open minded individuals who take the time to connect and listen to people's stories, forward thinkers who like to laugh. We are thrilled to announce Mzz Kimberley, Eden, and Janelle, together we will be inspiring audiences while creating great entertainment. This Skin Of Mine is a fun and touching story focusing on the relationship between 2 siblings. Engaging the audience in a playful manner as the story explores race, transgender equality, and abuse. Some of the story extends from real life events, growing up and being part of and witnessing some tragic and unfathomable events. Probably some of the most outrageous and crude moments reflect personal experiences and circumstances, things that only someone who has gone through them can write about. You'll find it all in this exciting new piece."

This will be followed by:- '12; The Rainbow Monologues Live,' a new show of queer voices and stories that paint vivid pictures of what it means to be part of the rainbow family. Written by Kiefer Wes Williams, Tim Norman, Simon James, Seb Fontaine, Jay Jonsonn and Jack Bell, the show is produced by Henry Zirpolo and Grin Theatre Company, and directed by Dan Scott. The cast are announced as:- Pam Ashton, Alan Harbottle, Taylor Illingworth, Terence Conchie, and Holly Murphy. It will be performed, on Sunday, 18 July 2021, at 5pm. Suitable for audiences aged 18 and over. Tickets are ₤14.

Grin Theatre Company presents:- '12; The Rainbow Monologues Live.' The show is based on the highly successful social media hit series of LGBTQ monologues developed and curated during the last 18 months and has now been adapted for the stage. Hear and celebrate the stories; sometimes painful, sometimes joyful, but all saying so much about the human condition, highlighting the need to be heard, the need to belong, and the need to stand up and be proud. The monologues are self contained and provide some tragic, some amusing windows into the lives of the 12 characters. Audiences will be taken on a rollercoaster of energy and emotion.

Kiefer Wes Williams, Artistic and Managing Director from Grin Theatre Company, added:- "We are Liverpool's longest running LGBTQ company, producing new works; in Merseyside and across the North West for more than 10 years. We work with local:- Actors, Directors and Writers to produce work spanning many important issues, and we have a mentoring system for all creatives. We are proud to represent our community and have our stories heard. We are excited to bring 12; The Rainbow Monologues to the Little LTF stage this Summer. The show was originally developed as an online social media project during lockdown last year to give creatives the opportunity to still share their work. We had an incredible response and produced 65 monologues from more than 200 submitted pieces. We have now fully adapted a dozen for the stage, but making the final selection was a massive task. Join us at Little LTF to hear 12 exciting LGBTQ voices."

The Little LTF selection panel was made up of Festival Director Bill Elms, who was joined by:- David Fry, UK Theatre Programmer and Producer; Theatre Director and Producer James Baker; Sue Williams who spent 22 years as Liverpool Unity Theatre's Executive Director and is now Freelance; and Anthony Proctor, an arts marketing professional and theatre maker.

The outdoor event will be staged within the church walls, at the St Luke's Bombed Out Church, a new set up different to the September festival, creating a more intimate, unique, covered Covid secure performance space. The festival will adhere to all covid19 and Government guidelines required at the time.

Little LFT will be followed by the return of Liverpool Theatre Festival, running over:- Wednesday, 1 September to Sunday, 12 September 2021. The festival features more mainstream and established:- acts, artists, and productions. The line up will be announced shortly.

Liverpool Theatre Festival is sponsored by Falconer Chester Hall and supported by Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse Theatres.

Festival organisers have also launched the Friends of Liverpool Theatre Festival membership programme. The loyalty scheme will ensure that members become an integral role in helping the festival grow into 1 of the UK's top arts festivals. Festival friends will be directly supporting the local arts scene and helping to maintain accessible, diverse, inclusive, affordable arts, in Liverpool.

Check out:- LiverpoolTheatreFestival.com for the latest news updates.