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Mayor urges
people to get flu jab
MAYOR of Liverpool Joe
Anderson is backing a campaign to encourage people to get their flu
jabs this season. Public Health England (PHE) is encouraging
people aged 65 and over, adults and children with long term health
conditions and pregnant women to take up the offer of a free flu
vaccination via their GP.
For the 1st time, a nasal spray vaccine is being offered to
healthy 2 and 3 year old children. This marks the first step
in an extension to the national flu vaccination programme, which
will eventually include yearly vaccination of all 2 to 17 year olds.
Dr Paula Grey, Director of Public Health for Liverpool City Council,
said:- "Getting the flu can be extremely serious for some of
the more vulnerable members of our communities, such as older
people, pregnant women and people with a long-term health condition
such as severe asthma, a chest or heart complaint, or diabetes.
People with health conditions are used to managing their health and
taking precautions, however many do not understand the risk flu
poses to them. Flu can knock even the healthiest people off their
feet for a couple of weeks, but getting flu when you already have a
health condition can lead to serious complications and it can even
be a killer.
I would strongly urge everyone who is eligible to make sure they get
their free flu jab, as it's one of the best ways of protecting
themselves and staying healthy over the cold, winter months."
Mayor Anderson said:- "Flu is a nasty illness for anyone to
get, but for some people it can be a killer. I got my flu jab
because I want to stay fit and well, and I would encourage everyone
who is eligible to get a free flu jab to do the same. Just ring your
GP to make an appointment."
Liverpool GP Dr Nadim Fazlani, Chair of Liverpool Clinical
Commissioning Group (CCG), said:- "If you're in one of the
groups known to be most at risk from flu, or you're the parent of a
healthy 2 or 3 year old, now's the time to take action. The flu
vaccination is the best way to protect both yourself and others
against what for some can be a really serious illness."
Flu can strike any time from early November, so it's best to get
vaccinated now to ensure you're protected.
To arrange to get your flu vaccination, simply contact your local GP
surgery. Once vaccinated, you will be protected throughout the
winter period.
For further information and advice on flu, please visit:-
nhs.co.uk/flu.
BTP launches hunt for Lime Street
wheelchair ramp thief
THE British Transport Police officers have
launched a hunt for a man who stole a wheelchair ramp from Liverpool
Lime Street Rail Station. Officers have also released a CCTV image
of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the
incident. The theft happened shortly before 3.15pm, on Friday, 25
October 2013, at platform 9.
PC Richard Melling said:- "A man was seen to take the ramp
from its housing on platform nine and then left the station, heading
to the taxi rank, still carrying the ramp. Once outside he hailed a
cab which, investigations have revealed, took him to a pub on the
promenade at New Brighton."
PC Melling added:- "This is an extremely unusual theft in that
it doesn't appear to have been motivated by greed; it is extremely
unlikely that the man would be able to sell on the ramp and make a
profit from his Criminal Act. It is, however, a theft which impacts
on the daily running of the station and seems designed to cause
problems for other rail passengers. I am determined to trace the
thief and am calling on anyone with information to come forward."
If you have any information about the theft, or recognise the man in
the CCTV images, please call British Transport Police on:- 0800 40
50 40. In all calls please quote:- log B5/NWA of 11/11/13. |
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£196 million
boost for 38 North West road improvement schemes
OVER 9,500 construction
jobs will be supported in 2014 by more than £1.9 billion of
investment in Britain's roads, Transport Minister Robert Goodwill
announced today.
The total investment in 209 schemes is £4.3 billion, £1.9 billion of
which will be spent in 2014 alone; more than twice the amount spent
in 2013. In the North West, £196 million will be spent on 38
road improvement schemes to reduce congestion and open new routes,
bringing a £1.4 billion benefit to the wider economy and supporting
1,000 construction jobs.
These include:-
► A major smart motorways scheme to cut congestion and improve
journey times on parts of the M60 and M62 in Greater Manchester. The
latest technology will be used to monitor traffic levels, provide
traffic information to road users, and ease congestion by using
variable speed limits on overhead signs between Junction 8 of the
M60 and Junction 20 of the M62. A 5 mile stretch of the hard
shoulder will also be converted to an extra lane.
► Plans for a new dual carriageway linking the M6 to the M56 in
Cheshire. The new 5 mile route would run mainly to the west of
the existing A556 from Junction 19 of the M6 near Knutsford to
Junction 7 of the M56 near Bowdon. It would re-join the existing
A556 for a short section north of Bucklow Hill, which would be
upgraded to modern dual carriageway standards.
► Thorley Lane Bridge on the M56 will be replaced with a wider
structure. As well as increasing capaCity on this section of the
network to reduce delay, it will also allow Metrolink services to
cross the M56 into the Davenport Green site.
► Adding a lane to the eastbound carriageway of the M56 at Junction
7. The new lane will start from the merge with the A556 at Junction
7 and will continue for a distance of approximately 1km to the
Ashley Road footbridge over the M56.
These and other road programmes across the country; which will
either start or be completed in 2014; are estimated to boost the
economy by over £18.8 billion and are part of a £100 billion package
of investment in Britain's infrastructure over the next seven years;
the largest programme of investment since the 1970s.
The roads programme is just one part the government's drive to
prioritise investment in projects that provide an economic boost,
and will help create a high-performance road network that can cope
with the expected 43% increase in traffic by 2040.
Roads Minister Robert Goodwill said:- "Roads are the lifeblood
that keeps our economy going; they create jobs and help get
products to markets. This government is committed to delivering the
modern infrastructure we need to compete in the global race,
investing across the board to cut congestion and reduce journey
times in roads, rail and local transport. We are already seeing
massive improvements being made to our major roads and motorways. In
2014 the public will see even greater improvements right across the
country."
Over half of the 209 schemes are due for completion next year. This
will be followed in 2015 by an even larger programme of improvement
and investment on our major roads, with spending rising to £3bn a
year by 2020.
The government's £28bn commitment as part of the 2013 Spending
Review will deliver massive extra capaCity to our busiest motorways,
along with 52 major road projects funded and delivered between this
parliament and 2020/21.
This government has a track record in delivering significant road
improvement programmes. All eight schemes under construction at the
2010 Spending Review have been delivered ahead of schedule, adding
190 lane miles to our motorway network.
Commercial Secretary to the Treasury Lord Deighton said:- "The
government is delivering the infrastructure the UK needs to have a
modern, successful economy. All eight roads schemes promised under
this government have been delivered ahead of schedule, and at the
Spending Round we set out the most ambitious programme of investment
since the 1970's.
We're prioritising the projects that will drive forward growth and
next year 10,000 jobs will be created as a result, proving that this
vital investment will bring benefits to people across the country."
Those schemes under construction in 2014 include:- 178 'pinch
point' schemes that tackle local bottlenecks on our roads, and 31
'major schemes' to dramatically improve key networks.
Earlier this year the Department for Transport published:- 'Action for
Roads' a command paper which set out the long-term vision for the
road network.
The reforms will see the Highways Agency turned into a
government-owned company, helping to improve efficiency and reduce
running costs.
Road users are set to benefit from a more effective
road network and will have a greater say in how their roads operate,
with taxpayers expected to benefit from savings of at least £2.6
billion over the next 10 years.
A consultation on the proposed changes to the Highways Agency is now
open
here.
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