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Government commits to
review pavement parking policy
A bill to strengthen and clarify
the law on pavement parking was withdrawn on 4 December 2015, following a
commitment from Government to undertake a policy review and convene a round
table in 2016, to further examine the implications of any legislative
change.
The Pavement Parking Private Members’ Bill called for the law on pavement
parking to be strengthened; only allowing people to park on pavements that
have been specially designated to allow it, making it the exception rather
than the rule.
Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking has worked with the
charity Guide Dogs to support Simon Hoare MP in asking other MPs to back the
Pavement Parking Private Members’ Bill which was due to be read on 4
December 2015.
Simon Hoare MP withdrew the bill in response to an announcement from the
Government that they will undertake a policy review with stakeholders to
examine the legal and financial implications of an alternative regime and
the likely impact on local authorities.
Robert Goodwill MP stated that improving
access for all pedestrians remains a priority for the Government. The
findings of the work being undertaken will be reported at a round table
which Living Streets and Guide Dogs look forward to attending.
Simon Hoare MP, said:- “Following detailed discussions, I have
withdrawn the bill, following The Minister’s commitment to convene a round
table and undertake a policy review. This response demonstrates the
Government’s commitment to improving access for all pedestrians including
disabled and vulnerable people. A government examination of the current
issues gives us the best opportunity of securing Government backing for
legislative change. I would like to thank my Parliamentary colleagues and
the public who have supported this Bill in raising the profile of a need for
a review of the current law.”
Joe Irvin, Chief Executive, Living Streets said:- “This is an
important and positive step towards limiting the danger pavement parking
poses to pedestrians in England and Wales. Our streets should be easy and
accessible to walk on and vehicles parked on pavements cause an obstruction
to all. At best, pavement parking is a nuisance and at worst, it can put
people’s safety at risk by forcing them into the road. We know that pavement
parking is an issue that many people care passionately about with nearly
2,500 people writing to their MP asking them to back the bill. Now it’s
crucial that the Government acts promptly to see through its commitment to
examine the issue properly. Along with Guide Dogs, we look forward to
working with the Government on their review of pavement parking legislation
and positively informing decisions next year.“
James White, Senior Campaign Manager, Guide Dogs said:- “We are
pleased that the Government has recognised the scale of the problem that
pavement parking causes. It is the most common street obstruction that
people who are living with sight loss encounter and frequently forces people
out onto the road and into oncoming traffic. For someone with sight loss
this is an extremely dangerous and frightening. We look forward to working
with the Government in the New Year on their review and ensuring that any
work they do addresses the impact that pavement parking has on people with
sight loss. We are Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking. We
want to create a walking nation, free from congested roads and pollution,
reducing the risk of preventable illness and social isolation and making
walking the natural choice. We believe that a walking nation means progress
for everyone. Our ambition is to get people of all generations to enjoy the
benefits that this simple act brings and to ensure all our streets are fit
for walking. For more than 85 years we’ve been a beacon for walking. In our
early days our campaigning led to the UK’s 1st zebra crossings and speed
limits. Now, our campaigns and local projects deliver real change to
overcome barriers to walking and our ground breaking initiatives such as the
world’s biggest Walk to School campaign encourage millions of people to
walk.”
But some have pointed out that, it might not be as clear cut as some might
like. Banning pavement parking might affect some businesses, who sometimes
have to park on pavements to unload heavy goods, when on narrow roads.
Others pointed out that more dangers are coursed on junctions by blue badge
holders than parking on pavements, in some places. What are your views? We
would love to know! Email us to
news24@southportreporter.com and tell us what you think the rules
should be!
Man Charged Bill Bailey
Tour Van Theft!
ON 26 October 2015, a van outside
the Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool hit the headlines all over the world.
Comedian and musician, Bill Bailey, was performing at the venue and just
before he went on stage his tour van stolen from outside. It was reported to
have been found 3 days later in Tuebrook. The comic to tweet his thanks to
the Police and the:- "good people of Liverpool" for their
help. Mr Bailey's manager then told the press that it had suffered
"minor" crash damage. Merseyside Police, on 4 December 2015, issued
a press statement saying:-:- "Francis Whittaker, aged 35, of Lynx Way, L12, was
arrested and charged with the offence of burglary in relation to the
incident at the Philharmonic and also charged driving while disqualified. He
was remanded in custody overnight and has since appeared before the
Magistrates in Liverpool." |
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All Star Cast of
Cinderella at the Epstein Theatre stage are ready to entertain you!
WITH just under a week to go before the
opening of its sparkling Christmas pantomime Cinderella, LHK Productions is
busy transforming the Epstein Theatre stage into a magical ballroom!
Producer Lee Kelly is polishing his magic wand ready to reveal his all star
cast who are getting ready to dazzle audiences with their spellbinding
production of the greatest rags to riches tale of them all, Cinderella.
Returning to the Epstein Theatre for his 4th festive season, this year Lee’s
line-up includes heartthrob Calum Best who makes his panto debut alongside
much loved Merseybeat legend, Beryl Marsden.
This Charming Man, Calum is the son of football legend George Best and is
guaranteed to get hearts racing across the region in his role as the dashing
Prince Charming. Meanwhile, Beryl, the godmother of 60’s soul, who was
one of the greatest female vocalists of the Merseybeat era and toured with
The Beatles, will also be starring in panto for 1st time as The Fairy
Godmother!
The cast also includes Grease Is the Word’s Alison Crawford, Lesley Butler
as the Wicked Stepmother and Michael Chapman and Tom Burroughs as the
hilarious Ugly Sisters. Lewis Pryor stars as Buttons and Chris Barton plays
Prince Charming’s right hand man, Dandini.
Based on the classic fairytale, Cinderella tells the much loved story of a
pretty young girl kept captive by her wicked ugly step sisters. When Cinders
is invited to a magnificent ball at the palace, her 2 fiendish siblings
forbid her to attend.
With a wave of a magic wand, her very own fairy godmother appears to save
the day and she is transformed into a beautiful princess. After a magical
evening dancing endlessly with Prince Charming, midnight approaches and poor
Cinders has to depart before the spell is broken.
With a single glass slipper left behind, will Prince Charming be able to
find his princess? Will Cinders escape the clutches of her ugly step-sisters
and live happily ever after?
With a live orchestra, real Shetland ponies, lavish sets and exquisite
costumes, the audience is in for a real treat this Christmas!
Producer Lee Kelly said:- "I'm so excited about our Panto this year,
we have a really strong cast and sales already beating last year’s figures,
I firmly believe this will be one of our ‘Best’, especially with Calum on
board.”
Cinderella runs at The Epstein Theatre from 10 December 2015 to 3 January
2016. Book your tickets now for the most enchanting panto in the land. We do
hope to see you there (oh yes we do)!
To book tickets for Cinderella, at the Epstein Theatre, on Hanover House,
Liverpool (L13DZ) call:- 0844 888 4411*,
visit:-
EpsteinLiverpool.Co.UK or book in
person at the theatre box office.
* There are no booking fees for cash sales, £1 charge per transactions for
card sales. Internet is available 24/7. Calls to the 0844 number might cost
up to 7p per minute, plus your telephone company's access charge. Booking
fees will vary for call centre and internet transactions, all ticket sales
are inclusive of a 50p restoration levy.
St Helens Theatre Royal
is now hosting the spellbinding tale of Cinderella
AS the clock strikes 7, the
curtains opened to the greatest rags to riches tale of them all on Friday, 4
December 2015, at St Helens Theatre Royal! With 1 wave of a magic wand, the
audience was whisked off to a glamorous ball this Christmas as Regal
Entertainments present their spellbinding tale of Cinderella. This
year’s panto is set to be even bigger than ever with an all star cast
bringing the nation’s favourite panto to life and runs until Sunday, 10
January 2016, at the venue in St Helens. Every panto needs a villain and
this year’s is a real Christmas cracker! Most recently seen as bad boy Rob
Donovan in ITV1’s Coronation Street for which he was nominated as ‘Best
Newcomer' at both The National Television Awards and the Inside Soap Awards,
Marc Baylis swaps the cobbles of Coronation Street for the centre stage at
Theatre Royal. Not content with wreaking havoc in Corrie, actor Marc
is set to cause mayhem as the dastardly Dandini; so get ready to boo and
hiss! No stranger to treading the boards, Marc’s extensive theatre credits
include the UK tour of Hamlet, The Belle's Stratagem for Southwark Playhouse
and Prick Up Your Ears for Comedy Theatre as well as seen on screen in hit
shows including Misfits, EastEnders and Hollyoaks. Excited to be
coming to St Helens, Marc Baylis said:- “I’m very much looking forward
to appearing in panto at the Theatre Royal and spending Christmas
entertaining audiences of St Helens. Cinderella is going to be great show so
bring the whole family and join in the festivities.” The sensational
line up also includes Benidorm star and Theatre Royal favourite Crissy Rock
as one of the hilarious Ugly Sisters. Leaving audiences on the edge of their
seat in fits of laughter earlier this year as the Mum in Rita, Sue and Bob
Too! as well as other past Theatre Royal productions Escorts: The Musical
and Dirty Dusting, Crissy is back to bring plenty of fun and laughter to the
stage alongside her Ugly Sister played by Charlie Griffiths. Laura
Gregory returns as Cinderella alongside the dashing Jack Rigby as her Prince
Charming. Meanwhile, St Helens’ resident dame, Simon Foster returns to the
stage, this time as the Fairy Godmother bringing lashings of magic and
sparkle to the proceedings. The delightful Ben Engelen plays Buttons and
Benedict Relton completes the line up as Baron Hardup. Cinderella tells the
story of a beautiful girl who is reduced to a life of servitude by her t2
ugly step sisters, but that is all set to change when an invitation to a
grand ball at the palace arrives. With a bit of magic and some help from her
friend Buttons, Cinderella is transformed in to the belle of the ball. But
what will happen at the stroke of midnight? With real Shetland ponies,
enchanted pumpkins and a sparkling fairy tale carriage and filled with
festive fun to entertain the whole family, Cinderella promises to be the
most lavish panto in all the land. Book your tickets now to be sure
you go to the ball. Call the Theatre's Box Office on:- 01744 756 000 or
visit the venues
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