New phase for Edge Lane revamp

A SERIES of overnight closures will take place on a key route into Liverpool from next week, as the latest phase of the city’s major highway improvement project gets underway.  The final phase of the Edge Lane West improvement programme began in August 2010 and is scheduled to be completed in spring 2012.  Works have now progressed to the point where overnight closures are necessary to complete the surfacing of the new carriageways.

The first of these overnight closures starts on Monday, 10 October 2011 for seven nights, until Sunday, 16 October 2011, and will be between Innovation Boulevard and Durning Road inbound to the city centre.  The closure will take place from 7pm each evening until 6am the following morning.  During the closure the diversion route will be via Innovation Boulevard and Wavertree Road.  Associated with these works, Durning Road and Holt Road will be closed at their junction with Edge Lane over the nights of 15 and 16 October, again between 7pm and 6am.  Durning Road traffic will be routed via Wavertree Road and Marmaduke Street, whilst Holt Road traffic will be routed via Kensington and Prescot Road.

Surfacing work is also taking place at Jubilee Road, meaning it will be closed at its junction with Edge Lane from 7am on Saturday, 8 October 2011, until 6pm on Sunday, 9 October 2011.  During this closure, traffic will be routed onto the new road, Belltower Lane, which runs between Jubilee Road and the eastbound carriageway of Edge Lane.

Further overnight closures will be necessary as the works progress, and these will be advertised in advance.  All of the diversion routes will be clearly signed for drivers.

Councillor Malcolm Kennedy, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport, said:- "I’m delighted that the latest part of the Edge Lane scheme is now ready to get underway, reflecting the fantastic progress that is being made.  These vital works will bring about huge improvements to Edge Lane and will benefit motorists for many years to come.  They will create a long-term solution to congestion and create a safer and more attractive route into Liverpool.  Any project of this scale will inevitably bring with it delays, and we do apologise to motorists for that.  We have timed this work to reduce the impact on the travelling public as much as possible, and we hope they will appreciate that some short-term pain is necessary to achieve the massive, long-term gains this work will bring."

The Edge Lane West scheme forms part of the £350 million Edge Lane Project to regenerate the corridor and improve the strategic link between the M62 and the city centre.

The final phase of the scheme is being undertaken between Botanic Place and Hall Lane, and will complete the link of the city centre with the M62 at the Rocket junction via a modern dual two-lane carriageway throughout the length of the Edge Lane.

Throughout the course of the works, two lanes of traffic are being maintained inbound to the city centre during morning peak hours (7.30am to 9.30am).  At other times, inbound traffic is restricted to a single lane.  Outbound traffic is limited to a single lane throughout the course of the day.  These restrictions will continue to apply during the course of the works. 

Nick Kavanagh, the city council’s Director for Regeneration and Employment, said:- "Edge Lane is one of the most important gateway routes into the city and this scheme will not only ease congestion for traffic but present a much improved image of the city.  The work is progressing really well, and I’m delighted we are now in a position to carry out the surfacing of the carriageways.  We’ve worked very closely with our partners to minimise disruption as much as possible throughout this programme, and we would ask motorists to continue to be patient with us as this fantastic scheme nears completion."

For more details on the Edge Lane Project, please visit:- highwayprojects  or the:- edgelane sections of Liverpool Council's website.

BETTY PRODUCTIONS ARE LOOKING FOR HOARDING COLLECTOMANIACS WHO WANT TO MAKEOVER THEIR LIVES AND HOMES

THE production company Betty is getting ready for a new, major primetime TV show and are asking you, our readers...  Are you obsessed with hoarding?  Is your life buried under mounds of collections?   DO YOU WANT HELP?  Whether it be vinyl records, old toys, ancient artefacts, unusual antiques or the most bizarre group items, we want to hear from you.  If your home is overflowing with stuff making it impossible to spot the carpet, we’ll help you cash in your collections and makeover all or part of your house!  For more information, please  email or call on:- 0207 290 0660. 

Council to object to Radio Merseyside cuts

LIVERPOOL City Council is to write to Chris Patten, Chairman of the BBC Trust, to outline concerns over proposals to cut Radio Merseyside’s budget by 20%.

A formal consultation is getting underway on the plans, which are due to savings the Corporation has to make as part of its licence fee settlement. 

Deputy Council Leader Paul Brant said:- "Radio Merseyside is a cherished part of the fabric of Liverpool and listening to the station is a way of life for hundreds of thousands of people.  The station plays a hugely valuable role in democracy in Liverpool, giving people the opportunity to air their views, debate the major issues which affect their lives and hold the city’s leadership to account.  A cut on this scale will have a serious impact on the ability of Radio Merseyside to fulfil its role as a public service broadcaster, and will also lead to the loss of jobs for a number of extremely talented people.  Much of the programming that is at risk is unique and serves a truly local and bespoke audience, and any loss will be felt greatly.   I would urge people to join the city council in letting the BBC Trust know their views and how valuable Radio Merseyside is to the people of Liverpool."

The consultation document can be found by clicking on here. 

ROUND TABLE GUIDE TO THE PERFECT BEST MAN’S SPEECH REVEALED

IN an effort to help men though one of the most stressful days of their life, Southport Round Table has released its definitive guide to writing the best man’s speech.

Southport Round Table asked people in Merseyside to submit their speeches, advice and incriminating footage all contributing to the final result - a foolproof best man’s speech manual that can be viewed at:- roundtable.co.uk/bestmanguide. 

Jason Thomson, vice president of Round Table, said:- "The best man’s speech is notorious for daring jokes and embarrassing anecdotes, but these can go spectacularly wrong.  Understandably, the speech is something that best men across the UK worry about, and from reading some of the stories we’ve had sent in, it seems a lot of them end up making hilarious gaffes.  If we can help just one man to avoid red faces and awkward silences at his best friend’s wedding breakfast, we’ll be very happy!"

The guide includes a comprehensive list of do’s and don’ts, ranging from good common sense tips like starting with a joke, to obscure but important hints, such as not re-using material from the internet.

"For men in across the country, the manual will provide a welcome modern day reference when it comes to doing their wedding day duty.  We’ve been overwhelmed with emails offering advice for would be best men from both our members and the general public, and we’d like to thank them for helping us to create such a comprehensive, well rounded guide." said Jason.

As well as personal development skills such as speech writing, public speaking, and of course organising the all important stag-do, Round Table offers a wide range of social and sporting activities in the local community.  

To find out more about Southport Round Table, visit:- roundtable.co.uk/findoutmore.