...continued... Travel advice for giant event ...

Andy Barr, the City Council's Highways Manager, said:- "This is the biggest event the City has ever staged, and this means that people may have to make changes to the way in which they go about their business over the 3 days. We have carried out a huge amount of work over the last few months to get out and visit people living in the affected areas to let them know how it will impact on them. We have done our very best to minimise the impact that it has, but when you have 3 giants roaming the City it is inevitable that there will be a certain amount of disruption. It also presents an opportunity for businesses such as bars and cafes, and we have had discussions with them about how they can take advantage of the large crowds that will gather. We strongly advise people coming into the City Centre to use public transport rather than their car."

To keep up with the latest news 'like' the Giant Spectacular page on Facebook, follow @giantspectacular on Twitter or visit:- giantspectacular.com.

Travel advice FAQ's...

What is the date of the event? "The event takes place from Wednesday, 23 July 2014, until Sunday, 27 July, 2014. Although the Giants will start their walk around the City from Friday, 25 July until 27 July, 2014."

What roads will be affected?  "The event will cover approximately 20 miles of the City's highways there may be some disruption or restriction to your usual means of access to your premises. We will try our best to maintain access and re-open roads as quickly as possible. However, this will be dependent upon the numbers of people viewing the event as safety will always be our priority. However, please note that these are only approximate and may be subject to change during the event. There is no guarantee that the roads will re-open exactly at the times specified, however the City Council will endeavour to re-open as many roads as possible when it is safe to do so in order to minimise the disruption to residents, businesses and road users."

How long will they be closed for?  "We will try our best to maintain access and re-open roads as quickly as possible. However, this will be dependent upon the numbers of people viewing the event as safety will always be our priority. While the giants rest during the day, roads will remain closed for considerably longer. This will affect the Waterfront (all 3 days), Chinese Arch area (Friday), Lime Street and Old Haymarket (Friday and Saturday)."

Will there be a signed diversion?  "With the major closures there will be a signed diversion. There will be no signed diversions when roads are closed as the 'Giants' move along the route."

Will there be access for emergency services?  "There will be emergency access for all blue light services along all routes at all times."

What do I need if I need access for visitors or deliveries?  "Unfortunately if it is not an emergency access will not be permitted while the event is in in your area. There may be some disruption or restriction to your usual means of access and egress to your premises. We will try our best to maintain access and re-open roads as quickly as possible. Plan early and arrange for deliveries on another day and ensure that visitors arrive in time before road closures go in."

Derby match day recommendations

NEW moves are being recommended to improve the stadium entry process for away fans attending derby matches in the future. They follow complaints made by several Everton supporters about access outside the turnstiles on Anfield Road and the delays experienced in getting into the ground at the derby match in January. A special meeting of the Ground Safety Advisory group was held to look at the issues arising. The Group is now calling for improvements by all parties around engagement and communications with fans, a review of the queuing arrangements for away fans at the ground and is also calling for derby matches to be scheduled at times which consider supporters' travel plans and, where applicable, weekday commitments. The recommendations will be considered by the Licensing Committee at its meeting on 17 July 2014.

Councillor Ann O'Byrne, chair of the group, said:- "We held a special meeting to consider the allegations made by supporters and to bring together all parties so that we could understand what went on and learn lessons to improve, if necessary, the experience of supporters visiting Anfield. The Ground Safety Advisory Group brought together all parties involved in the planning, preparation and attendance of the fixture to review the both the pre-planning and operational decisions made on the night of the match. But we also involved a number of fans' groups which has led to a better understanding of the role of all parties in ensuring the safety of supporters. One of the key points which has emerged is that there needs to be better engagement with supporters' groups, and I would like to thank them for the very constructive suggestions they have made. We have carried out an extensive review of the submissions presented to us and have drawn together a set of recommendation, endorsed by all the partners, which we believe address the issues raised. They will provide a framework for everyone to work together to improve the experience of supporters at future derby games at Anfield."

Among the recommendations of the Ground Safety Advisory Group are:-

► Both football clubs and Merseyside Police be asked to review the communication methods and messages to ensure key information on crowd management plans and stewarding/ policing are clear for all supporters attending the fixture.

► Merseyside Police and Liverpool Football club be requested to review the existing queuing arrangements for away supporters on Anfield Road to prevent congestion, maintain public order and safety for spectators. This is particularly important when undertaking searches of supporters to prevent congestion directly outside turnstiles and consideration should be given to performing searches before supporters reach the turnstiles.

► Liverpool FC be requested to review opportunities to improve access along Anfield Road.

► Merseyside Police and the clubs be requested to work with the UK football authorities to try to ensure future fixtures are scheduled at times that give full consideration to supporters' travel plans and, where applicable, weekday commitments.

APPEAL FOLLOWING AGGRAVATED BURGLARY - WEBSTER AV, BOOTLE

MERSEYSIDE Police Detectives from Sefton CID are appealing for information following an aggravated burglary in Bootle on Thursday, 3 July 2014.  Officers were called to a house on Webster Avenue at about 10.10pm following a report that three men forced entry to the house and threatened the homeowner. The three offenders demanded the keys to the victim's car, which they took along with jewellery and money. The victim, although unhurt, has been left very upset following the incident.  An investigation into the full circumstances of the incident is ongoing with officers checking CCTV from the area and house to house enquiries being conducted. The 3 offenders were all reported to have been wearing dark hooded clothing. Detectives are now appealing for anyone with information to contact Police.

Detective Constable Sean Kelly, said:- "The victim has been left really upset following this incident. Three people have forced their way into the victim's house, threatened her and then made off with her car and jewellery. I would like to reassure the community we take such incidents extremely seriously and we will do everything we can to identify the people responsible for this and bring them to justice. I would appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident, or saw three men acting suspiciously, to call Police and your information will be fully investigated."

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to call Merseyside Police on:- 0151 777 3810 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on:- 0800 555 111.