Pontin’s Southport Holiday Park and the Southport Weekender Question Reply

LAST year we reported about the new development plans for Pontin’s in Ainsdale,, (link)  Since then we have had many requests from worried Southport Weekender fans that events like that will be no more, if the plans placed on the Ainsdale-On-Sea.co.uk website should go ahead. We contacted Ocean Parcs about your enquiries regarding the Pontin’s Southport Holiday Park and they have this week issued us this statement:- “The proposals to redevelop Pontin’s Southport Holiday Park are at the very early stages of development, but could provide an investment of over £100 million by replacing the existing dated design of the Holiday Park, which has seen little modernisation since its development in the late 1960s. Discussions have yet to take place with organisers of events at the Holiday Park regarding the future, should planning consent be received. However, Ocean Parcs acknowledges that at present, **the site can be disruptive to the local community but, by dramatically changing the appearance of the Holiday Park and its current offer, the site will be developed into a vibrant and mixed use village to the benefit of all. **As the plans evolve, Ocean Parcs is keen to hear the views of local residents regarding the offer of ‘Ocean Parcs – Ainsdale’ and will be undertaking further consultation on the proposals next year.”

MERSEYSIDE POLICE APPLY PEDAL POWER TO CRIME

MERSEYSIDE Police Officers in South Liverpool are getting on their bikes in a move to cut crime in the area and help them travel efficiently through traffic congestion.

Officers based at Admiral Street Police Station and Speke Police Station now have greater mobility around the area with a number of mountain bikes being used on all shifts by nominated officers with essential high visibility gear.

Inspector Deborah Mackay, Liverpool South Critical Incident manager said:- “Merseyside Police welcomes the introduction of increased cycle patrols. The additional bicycles will bring numerous benefits, including enabling officers to cover a greater and wider area, deal with crime and anti-social behaviour, improved response times, access to the myriad of streets as well as increasing police visibility. The public want to see a more visible police presence in their communities. That needs a modern, flexible police service that responds to people's needs - whether in tackling crime or attending an incident. Quite simply, it's about the right people with the right skills, being in the right place at the right time.”

The bikes will help officers get round the community quicker and more widely - giving them more time opportunities to build relationships with local people and businesses.

A further benefit will be that Merseyside Police will be able to reduce the size of its carbon footprint leading to a  reduction in emission levels.