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Inquiry into
Thornton and Switch Island Link Road plans
BACK in April 2012 the public had
been told that a 18.6m bypass scheme, on Merseyside, had the "green
light" by Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council. The aim of the scheme
is to reduce congestion, in and around Thornton. That area has over
the years become a large traffic black spot on what is part of
Merseyside's most important road networks.
The idea that got the "green light" announcement is to build a brand new single
carriageway link road that will connect the Switch Island, the M57
and M58 interchange, with the A565. Should this road go ahead, it is
hoped that it will relieve the traffic on what is often a very
heavily congested stretch of the A5207, covering the Northern
Perimeter Road, Green Lane, Lydiate Lane, and Copy Lane area, thus
cutting travel times for motorists using that route. It is also
hoped it will reduce accidents and improve safety for local
residents within that area. The plans also include connecting the
new road to existing roads, building new bridleways and off-site
planting. The news of Sefton Council giving the scheme the "green
light" came on the back of an earlier announced, in 2012, that the
Department for Transport would be putting £14.5m towards the
project.
This then looked as if the local residents 30 year fight
for this relief road had been won. But was it to early to have said
the words "green light"? Back in April, Sefton Council's Labour
Leader, Cllr. Peter Dowd said:- "There are some technical legal
details left to negotiate in relation to building on the land, but
we should hopefully see all of that resolved in the next couple of
months. Once we have manage to negotiate these final hurdles, we
should be able to see work start in early 2013." Sadly for some, the
"technical legal details" have now managed to again set back the
scheme.
This news of the delay follows 2 objections been filed over
the compulsory purchase order needed to acquire the land, that is
intended to be build on. As one of the objections raised is classed
as a statutory objection, a public inquiry will now have to be
called, by the Secretary of State for Transport.
We have been told
that this public inquiry will take place within the next 3 to 5
months. Sefton Council Leader, Cllr. Peter Dowd told the press
that:- "Naturally we are disappointed with this. It will delay on
the delivery of this long anticipated link road, but the road has
had overwhelming support. Sefton Council is respectful of people's
democratic rights and we are now working hard to address the grounds
for objection, without the need for a formal inquiry. The timescale
for the inquiry is largely governed by the Department for Transport,
but we are doing our best to push for the hearing to be called as
soon as possible."
So what do you, our readers think about this
development? Please email us your views to:-
news24@southportreporter.com
and let us know what you think!
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Trust makes
changes to parking charges
MOST parking charges at
Southport and Ormskirk hospital will rise by 10p per visit from 1
December 2012. Charges for passes for regular visitors remain the
same, although the cost of the refundable deposit will rise from £5
to £10. Parking charges for staff will also rise. Jonathan Parry,
Chief Executive of the Trust, said:- "Income from parking
charges goes towards the cost of maintaining and managing the car
parks. The remainder goes directly to patient care. The Trust Board
agreed last year that it would link parking charges to the increase
in the cost of living and these rises reflect that change."
Patients in receipt of certain government benefits can park for free
or get help with their travel costs. Further information is
available on the Trust's
website, or from the general
office at either hospital. The Trust has also engaged UK Parking
Control Ltd to prevent thoughtless and dangerous parking at
Southport and Ormskirk hospitals. The company will issue fixed
penalty notices to drivers who park in Blue Badge spaces they are
not entitled to, park on pavements, park on double yellow lines, or
block access to essential clinical services and emergency services;
such as ambulances and fire engines. Any income from fixed penalty
notices will fund Parking Control's management costs.
SHRT Family
Bonfire and Grand Firework Display Latest
THE annual Southport
Hesketh Round Table Family Bonfire and Grand Firework Display is
once again to be held in Victoria Park, Southport on Saturday, 3
November 2012. This years charity is a Southport based Charity,
based in Birkdale, called Spinal Unit Action Group (SUAG). Dave
Snape, Chairman of Southport Hesketh Round Table has told the media
that:- "I have chosen this charity for this year as I believe
the work carried out by the staff and volunteers to help and aid in
the rehabilitation of their patients and relatives is second to
none. With the North West Regional Spinal Injuries Centre based at
Southport Hospital, SUAG provide care for patients both local and
from further afield."
The gates open at 5pm along with the fairground rides
and stalls. The massive bonfire will be lit at 6.30pm and at 8pm the
Fireworks Display will take place. The event closes at 10.00pm.
Tickets are £7.00 per person and Under 14's will cost £3.00 per
child. Children under 5 will not be charged. Prices and times may
change. Go to:-
shrt.org.uk for more
information.
Bid to attract more visitors and customers
AN area covering some of
Liverpool's main shopping corridors is bidding to achieve an
internationally recognised status in customer service. The 1578
area, which covers Lodge Lane, Earle Road, Lawrence Road and
Smithdown Road, is aiming to become a World Host Destination. The
World Host Destination programme was developed in Canada and areas
which achieve the status are recognised as proving excellent
standards of customer service. A number of businesses have to have
front-line staff trained in customer service to qualify for the
accolade. "The 1578 area has some of the City's main shopping
venues and is one which is on the up and up, but we want to build on
the improvements which are taking place. We want to make the 1578
area a first-class shopping and eating destination. And by becoming
the first world host destination in the city it will attract more
visitors to the shops and restaurants. It will build pride in the
community as well as local businesses and help us to promote the
area. There are very practical advantages for businesses. Receiving
a warm welcome and great customer service will encourage customers
to return and so help firms to grow." said Councillor Nick
Small, Liverpool City Council Cabinet member for skills, enterprise
and employment. Training courses with accredited trainers are being
held in conjunction with Academy One, Liverpool One's training arm.
INFORMATION APPEAL - INJURY
SHOOTING, BOOTLE
MERSEYSIDE Police are
appealing for information after man was taken to hospital with gun
shot wounds on Monday, 22 October 2012. At around 8.45pm, Police
were notified after a man called an Ambulance to an address in St
James' Drive, Bootle saying that he had been shot. On arrival
emergency services found a 33 year old man with shotgun wounds to
his chest. The victim, from the Bootle area, was taken to hospital
for treatment. His condition is currently described as serious but
stable. At this stage in the investigation it is not clear where
this man was injured, but one line of enquiry is that he was shot
near to or on the canal in Bootle on Monday, 22 October 2012.
Patrols have been stepped up in the local area to reassure the
community and an investigation is underway to establish the full
circumstances that led to this man seeking medical treatment.
Detectives are appealing for anyone who may have information about
this incident or who may have witnessed any suspicious behaviour in
the area near to the canal in Bootle earlier in the evening to
contact them. Anyone with information is asked to contact the
specialist Matrix Team on:- 0151 777 5699 or the independent
Crimestoppers, anonymously, on:- 0800 555 111. |
