Local Primary School and Developer have teamed up over:- 'The Great British Beach Clean'

AS part of its pledge to aid the environment and wildlife wherever it builds, Merseyside developer David Wilson Homes teamed up with a local primary School to create posters linking to the Great British Beach Clean at its Pinewood Park development. The Great British Beach Clean is an annual event that encourages members of the public to journey to their local seaside and help clear any litter, plastics and other harmful materials that may find their way into the ocean. The homebuilder hosted a poster design competition at St Jerome's Primary School, to raise awareness of the event and to encourage more people to help keep our beaches clean all year round. Each winner received a gift card for taking part whilst the colourful posters will be displayed on the lampposts at:- David Wilson Homes' Liverpool Road community. The campaign is organised by the Marine Conservation Society in an effort to keep our beaches and oceans clean for people and wildlife alike. Plastic making its way into the ocean is a particularly large issue today, with non-biodegradable items such as straws and six-pack rings causing potential harm to all manner of sea life.

Kathryn Monaghan, Headteacher at St Jerome's Primary School, Formby, said:- "St. Jerome's Primary School is proud to support the Great British Beach Clean every year. We believe it is vital that our children understand the importance of keeping our beaches clean in order to protect wildlife and their habitats. The poster competition gave us a good opportunity to focus on this important event with the pupils and to remind them of their role in their local community."

Robert Holbrook, Managing Director, at David Wilson Homes North West, said:- "It's extremely important to us when building new communities that we're also doing everything we can to help the environment thrive. We are very passionate about promoting environmentally friendly activities and campaigns and enlisted the help of St Jerome's Primary School to help us make these colourful and eye catching posters. We hope this competition has not only inspired the children taking part, but also helped our new residents at Pinewood Park to see how looking after the nearby beach will help make a huge difference."

Barratt Homes has been partnered with the RSPB since 2014 and is committed to supporting nature and wildlife at its developments in Merseyside. Seas the day and find out more about the Great British Beach Clean and the Marine Conservation Society, visit:- MCSUK.Org.
 

Festive cheer for rail users as Boxing Day services are back and better

THIS year, Boxing Day trains are back and better than before for the Liverpool City Region in a move to support festive travellers and boost the local economy, Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has announced. Whether it's to get to and from work, visit family and friends, head to the sales or for leisure time, people will be able to travel in and around the City Region by train. While a large part of the country's rail network shuts down on Boxing Day, Merseyrail will once again be running services and will be joined by Northern for the 1st time this year.

Boxing Day services have become a regular feature in the Christmas public transport calendar for the past couple of years, setting the City Region apart as 1 of the few areas in the country to provide them. Although they were suspended in 2020, due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, the Region's Mayor has worked with rail operators to agree their return.

Trains will be running on Merseyrail's Wirral and Northern lines between:- 9am and 6:30pm, on Boxing Day, calling at selected stations. Northern will run an hourly service from:- Liverpool Lime Street to St Helens Central, and back between:- 8am and 6pm, calling at stations in between.

Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said:- "The festive period is always a really busy 1, with lots of people needing to travel to work, to see loved ones or to visit the shops. Last year that was all disrupted by the Pandemic, but I'm really pleased that this year we've been able to get operators, not only to bring back the Boxing Day service, but to improve it too! Our public transport is vital for connecting our communities with each other and with opportunities and I'm working hard to improve it."

Suzanne Grant, Commercial Director at Merseyrail, said:- "As people across the Liverpool City Region prepare to enjoy the festive season after a challenging 20 months, we are pleased to be able to offer Boxing Day services this Christmas. Whether you are visiting friends and family, heading to the boxing day sales or attending a sporting event we hope that you will consider using Merseyrail to get there!"

Chris Jackson, Regional Director for Northern said:- "After the disappointing Christmas everyone faced last year, we're delighted that Northern is able to play a role, alongside partners Merseyrail, Liverpool City Region and Network Rail, in providing a Boxing Day service for people in the Region."

Phil James, route Director for Network Rail's North West route, said:- "It's brilliant to see passengers returning to the Region's railway and we're delighted to be working with our partners to enable even more train journeys over the festive period in the Liverpool City Region."

6 car services will be running every 30 minutes and calling at the following Stations:- 

► Southport; Liverpool; Liverpool South Parkway:- Southport, Birkdale, Ainsdale, Formby, Blundellsands and Crosby, Waterloo, Sandhills, Liverpool Central, St Michaels and Liverpool South Parkway.

► Ormskirk; Liverpool:- Ormskirk, Maghull, Aintree, Orrell Park, Kirkdale, Sandhills and Liverpool Central.

► Kirkby; Liverpool:- Kirkby, Fazakerley, Kirkdale, Sandhills and Liverpool Central.

► New Brighton; Liverpool:- New Brighton, Birkenhead North, Conway Park, James St and Liverpool Central.

► West Kirby; Liverpool:- West Kirby, Leasowe, Birkenhead North, Conway Park, James St and Liverpool Central.

► Hooton; Liverpool:- Hooton, Bromborough, Bebington, Rock Ferry, Birkenhead Central, James St and Liverpool Central.