LIB DEM MEP ATTACKS UKIP AS “TRAITORS”

A pro-European Southport MEP has signalled the start of an all-out war with his anti-European opponents by launching a blistering attack on the region’s UKIP and BNP representatives. 

Chris Davies accused them of being “traitors” whose policies would leave Britain weak and isolated.  The Liberal Democrat told a fringe meeting at his party’s conference in Bournemouth that the 2 extremist parties distorted the truth and lost touch with reality in describing the UK’s role within the European Union.

Davies described as “deranged” a press statement issued last week by Southport UKIP MEP Paul Nuttall which claimed that the EU flag “no more represents Britain and its people than the Hammer and Sickle of the Soviet Union did Czechoslovakia or Poland during the Cold War.”

Davies commented:- “The EU has the support of the elected parliaments in 27 countries because it upholds the principles of freedom, democracy and the rule of law. To compare it with the totalitarianism and oppression of the Soviet Union is just madness.  Paul Nuttall is a new MEP and probably doesn’t know his way around the European Parliament yet. I shall be glad to show him how to find the medical centre next time he starts frothing at the mouth and before he does himself an injury.”

The Liberal Democrat told the meeting that leaving the European Union would undermine Britain’s opportunity to shape policies that would inevitably affect it.  He said that major companies would continue to operate on a pan-European basis even if Britain left the EU.  "UKIP argues that we would still trade with the rest of Europe, but just as important is to be in a position to influence the making of the rules and regulations within which industry works across the continent. You can only do that by being in the room when decisions are made.

UKIP and the BNP pose as patriots, but the reality is that their policies mark them out as traitors. They would leave us weak and isolated.”

BUS COMPANY LAUNCHES APPEAL FOR TEAM OF BUS AMBASSADORS

BUS company, Arriva North West, is appealing for passionate people and dedicated bus-users in Liverpool to apply to become official Bus Ambassadors.  Arriva, which runs numerous services into Liverpool from surrounding areas, is appealing for local people to come forward and volunteer their opinions and accounts of Arriva Buses and bus travel in general, on the Arriva website.

The successful applicants will have their own profile and case study on a dedicated section of the website, where they will be able to outline their views of Arriva Buses and bus travel. They will also receive a free four-week ticket to get them started in their exciting new role.  1 ambassador for each town served by Arriva will be appointed to represent their area by fellow town residents, who will be able to vote for who they think is best suited to the role on the Arriva website.

Debra Mercer, marketing manager for Arriva North West said:- “We know how passionate people in Liverpool are about buses and their local community, and there are many in the area who would be keen to represent their town on our new website.  The campaign will cover the positive elements of bus travel, such as environmental issues, economical factors, taking the stress out of the daily commute and reducing congestion.”

Arriva would like to hear from anyone interested, from die-hard commuters through to student bus passengers, mums who use the bus to get about with young children to senior passengers.

Anyone who is interested in being in with a chance of becoming an official ‘Arriva Ambassador’ can done via email or by visiting the website.  Applicants should describe why they deserve to represent the company and promote bus travel.

The closing date is 30 September 2009 and those selected will be notified, before voting for the winning Liverpool Bus Ambassador goes live on the Arriva website.

£1million boost for cyclists at rail stations

MERSEYSIDE is set to benefit from a £1million cash windfall for new cycle facilities at Merseyrail Stations.  Merseyrail, in ‘tandem’ with Merseytravel, secured a £1 million bid to become a national Cycling Demonstration Train Operator.  The money is awarded by Cycling England, an organisation supported and funded by the Department for Transport.  The successful bid, also supported by Sefton and Wirral borough councils, will allow Merseyrail to provide secure cycle storage facilities on two lines of route for all stations between Southport and Blundellsands and Crosby stations on the Northern Line and for all but one station from Birkenhead Central to Hooton on the Wirral Line.  It will also enable Merseyrail and Merseytravel to provide cycle hire and cycle repair facilities at Southport station in partnership with Sefton Borough Council.  A total of 18 stations will benefit from the cash award and all the facilities will be in place by late 2010.

Bart Schmeink, Merseyrail’s Managing Director said:- “It is our intention to make cycling a mainstream way of getting to and from our stations to discourage car use and car parking at stations for relatively short journeys and to encourage a healthy life style. These new facilities will encourage passengers to leave their car at home and cycle to the station instead.”

Councillor Mark Dowd, Chair of Merseytravel, said:- “We are doing more and more to link cyclists to the rail network and I’m delighted that this £1million will go towards supporting that. Don’t forget many rail operators in other parts of the UK would laugh if someone tried to bring a cycle onto a train. We are different in that we are taking every chance we get, whether on the trains or the Mersey Ferries, to make it easier for cyclists to access the public transport network. This is a tremendous boost for the cyclists that use our stations and we hope that it will encourage more people away from their cars and onto their bikes.”

Merseyrail is already a cycle friendly train operator; allowing the free carriage of bicycles on trains at any time of day. Each train also has 4 cycle spaces.    The 18 stations that will benefit from a range of new measures, including cycle storage, racking systems and/or secure lockers are:-

Northern Line
Southport
Birkdale
Hillside
Ainsdale
Freshfields
Formby
Hightown
Hall Road
Blundellsands and Crosby

Wirral Line
Birkenhead Central
Green Lane
Rock Ferry
Bebington
Port Sunlight
Spital
Bromborough
Eastham Rake
Hooton