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Rail strikes in January
2018. Plan your journey ahead
PASSENGERS travelling to, from and within the
Liverpool City Region are being urged to plan their journeys and check before
they travel ahead of planned industrial action by members of the RMT union on
Merseyrail and Northern rail services, on Monday, 8 January, Wednesday, 10
January and Friday, 12 January 2018.
Merseyrail services are planned to run every 30 minutes, with the exception of
the New Brighton to Liverpool services which will be every hour, from around
06:30 to 19:30, with a break in service between approximately 11:00 and 13:30.
Wirral services will start and terminate from James Street Station.
There will be no services on the following lines:- Hunts Cross - Liverpool
Central; Ellesmere Port - Hooton; Chester - Hooton, Kirkby - Liverpool Central
and Ormskirk - Maghull.
Merseyrail tickets will be accepted on Arriva bus services, except between 07:00
to 09:00 and 16:00-18:00.
Passengers are strongly advised to check the Merseyrail
website and on Twitter @Merseyrail, before travelling, as it is possible that
timetables will change prior to, as well as during, strike action.
Northern Rail will operate a reduced service, with the majority of available
trains operating between 07:00 and 19:00. Services on some routes will finish
earlier and some Stations will have no service, for more information please
visit the Northern website.
Mersey Ferries are due to run as planned and valid cross river rail tickets will
be accepted on the Ferries on the 3 days.
Key advice for everyone in the City Region needing to travel on these dates is:-
► Plan ahead and consider your alternative travel options. You can use the
Merseytravel journey planner.
► Check timetables and leave more time for your journey.
► Avoid travelling at peak times where possible. Don't aim for the last bus or
train home as services are likely to be very busy.
► Stick to public transport wherever possible to reduce congestion on key routes
in and out of the City Centre including the Mersey Tunnels.
► Speak to your employer about whether there is any flexibility in working times
or the possibility of working from home.
Andy Heath, Managing Director at Merseyrail, said:- "I
am really disappointed with the strike action being taken by the RMT that will,
after the previous strike days, yet again result in more disruption to your
services. The timing of these latest strikes, 3 within a week, has been
deliberately scheduled so as to cause as much impact as possible to you as a
passenger. At the request of the Metro Mayor, we agreed to independent
conciliation with the RMT union with no pre-conditions, but to date, the RMT
have refused to meet without pre-conditions. I am very keen to begin a
meaningful dialogue and engage in a detailed negotiation to find a middle ground
which will satisfy all parties. As always, we will ensure that we deliver as
robust a timetable as we can that will best serve your travel needs."
Sharon Keith, Regional Director at Northern said:- "We are doing
everything we can to keep our customers on the move during the three days of
industrial action affecting our network. We are still working to determine the
exact services we will be able to operate, but those trains that do run will be
on an amended timetable and are likely to be extremely busy. We ask our
customers to plan carefully, allow extra time for travel and check the Northern
website for the latest information."
Frank Rogers, Chief Executive of Merseytravel said:- "Merseytravel,
together with transport operators, have been working to ensure a robust
transport plan is in place to support customers with their journeys in January.
In the past customers have responded well by planning ahead and in many cases
making changes to their usual journey when necessary. We are confident that by
continuing to plan ahead, our customers, both local and from further afield,
will be able to go about their business, whether they choose to travel by rail,
bus, ferry or car. For help planning your journey, or finding out what other
services are available, please download the Merseytravel app or use the online
journey planner."
For up to the minute service information, visit:-
► Arriva - Follow them on
Twitter and via their
website.
► Stagecoach - Follow them on
Twitter and via their
website.
► Merseyrail - Follow them on
Twitter and via their
website.
► Mersey Ferries - Follow them on
Twitter
and via their
website.
► Northern - Follow them on
Twitter and via their
website.
RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:- "Every single effort that RMT has
made to reach negotiated settlements in these separate disputes with the
different train operating companies over safe operation and safe staffing has
been kicked back in our faces and we are left with no option but to press ahead
with the action exactly as planned. No one should be in any doubt, these
disputes are about putting the safety of the travelling public before the
profits of the private train companies It is frankly ludicrous that we have been
able to negotiate long-term arrangements in Scotland and Wales that protect the
guards and passenger safety but we are being denied the same opportunities with
rail companies in England. This suspension of normal industrial relations by the
employers has to end if we are to make progress towards a solution that
guarantees safe rail travel for all. RMT is in no doubt that it is the dead hand
of the minority Tory Government that is interfering in these disputes and that
their influence is a factor in preventing the union from reaching negotiated
settlements. With the fare increases kicking in this week it is outrageous that
Theresa May and Chris Grayling are happy to stand aside and cheer on overseas
rail companies that rip off the British passenger with eye watering far
increases to subsidise their domestic transport operations while throwing the
guards off our trains. RMT is demanding that the blockade on talks is lifted in
these separate disputes to allow us to negotiate freely with the companies and
give us the opportunity to pursue the objective of a guard guarantee that puts
British passenger safety before the rank exploitation of our rail network by
fare jacking private companies who are laughing all the way to the bank. If it's
good enough for Wales and Scotland to put safety 1st then it's good enough for
the rest of the UK. RMT stands ready for talks in each of these separate
disputes."
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1st Merseyside Branch of the Tramway and Light
Railway Society talk of 2018
ON Monday, 15 January 2018, within the Rathbone Room,
at The Greenbank Sports Academy, on Greenbank Lane, Liverpool (L17 1AG), the
Merseyside Branch of the Tramway and Light Railway Society will be holding a
talk called:- "Story of Crosville Motor Services Limited." This
talk will be presented via the Chairman of Online Transport Archives, Charles
Roberts and starts at 8.00pm. Refreshments will be served during the interval.
Everyone is welcome and we look forward to your company. Cost is just ₤2.00 per
head, per person. If you do not already know, Crosville Motor Services Limited
became 1 of the major bus groups prior to 1966, with origins back as far as
1857. The real story begins between 1906 and 1911 and is a fascinating insight
into the birth of a family concern, whose bus empire, based in Chester, extended
from North West England to most of North and Mid Wales. Its most lucrative area,
unsurprisingly, was Merseyside.
Southport satirist hits top spot on book
charts
A former energy analyst from Southport has hit the jackpot
with hilarious debut novel. That has been published via Publish
Nation,
Peter Rauth's brilliantly observed political satire:- 'The Day I Stopped
Worrying' and 'Learned to Love Berkeley Hunt,' has been
met with a string of 5 star reviews. The riotous romp through the corridors of
Westminster, the White House, and the Kremlin has also stormed into Amazon's
highly competitive satire charts. But the 50 year old writer has yet to win over
his wife, Pamela.
Peter explained:- "I gave The Day I Stopped Worrying and Learned to Love
Berkeley Hunt to 4 people to read before it was published. 3 of them liked it
and 1 didn't, that was Pamela. She hates the book. The Day I Stopped Worrying
and Learned to Love Berkeley Hunt is based on my experiences. As an analyst I
have had experience of dealing with civil servants, politicians, lawyers,
accountants and senior investment bankers and so chose to satirise my
experiences in dealing with them. Good satire, in my humble opinion, requires
there to be an element of truth in the writing, and indeed, speculating on
things 1 suspects to be true."
The Day I Stopped Worrying and Learned to Love Berkeley Hunt highlights the
corruption, lies and ineptitude of the politicians wielding power. As well as
the greed of vested interests who hold sway over them.
Calamitous, and often hilarious, mistakes and mishaps are never far away in this
highly accomplished debut novel.
Despite highly believable characters and intricate, twisting sub plots, Peter
admits he prefers to write under the influence.
Peter added:- "I can write anytime and anywhere, but preferably when I'm
drunk. My greatest achievement has been learning to write as well when I'm
sober."
Since the release of:- 'The Day I Stopped Worrying' and
'Learned to Love Berkeley Hunt' it has received almost entirely 5 star
reviews from readers.
Claire Highton Stevenson, author of Romance Novels, described Peter's 1st book
as:- 'satire at its best.' She added:- "Witty and
entertaining... if political satire is your bag, this will certainly be worth a
read."
James O'Connell, former paratrooper, wounded Falklands War veteran, and author
said:- "Great read, if you enjoy a wacky political farce, of the likes of
'New Statesman' or 'Yes Minister'. It's a nonpartisan political parody, I really
enjoyed the characters, but not sure what the likes of Boris Johnson, Nigel
Farage and the Clintons will make of the them. It will make you laugh out loud
and will keep you engrossed from start to finish, a real page turner... (P's
there has to be a sequel) "
Children's author, Barbara Navarro, described the novel as:- "An acidly
satirical take on today's over the top political world that astonishingly
mirrors and deftly distorts to hilarious effect the true life shenanigans we
hear about daily. The characters in this well drawn political theatre of the
absurd are unforgettable! "
Peter is currently considering writing a sequel.
Merseyside Police welcome
sentencing of teenager for attempted robbery in Bootle
MERSEYSIDE Police have welcoming the sentencing of a
teenager, for attempted robbery, in Bootle, July 2017, in which a man, his
pregnant female partner and their dog were targeted. 18 year old, Ethan Taylor,
from Seaforth, was sentenced to 4 years imprisonment after pleading guilty to
attempted robbery, at Liverpool Crown Court, on Wednesday, 3 January 2018.
We are told that on Friday, 7 July 2017, the victims were walking their dog on
Seaforth Road when they were approached by 3 unknown males, who demanded an iPhone from the female victim. This was refused and the man and woman were
assaulted and their dog was snatched and dumped in a nearby garden. Following
enquiries, Taylor was identified as the ringleader and was arrested and charged
with the offence.
Detective Constable Danny Pimbley, from the investigation team, said:- "It
is pleasing to see Taylor removed from the streets for the foreseeable future,
and I want to express our enormous praise to both victims, who fully and bravely
supported our investigation throughout. Thankfully there were no lasting
injuries, but to set upon a couple, and particularly a pregnant woman, in order
to try and steal a phone, is nothing short of disgusting. The victims would also
like to thank the prosecuting barrister, Henry Riding, for the sensitive way
they were helped through the court process. We will always support victims of
crime in a sensitive and compassionate way, ensuring they are able to come
forward and see the perpetrators brought to justice."
In her Victim Impact Statement, the female victim said:- "This whole
incident has made me feel scared, sick, and nervous. I have experienced a lot of
unpleasant incidents in my life and this has raised so many emotions. This time
I am not a victim, I am a survivor."
Liverpool quartet
Karuna release follow up single:- "Roundabout"
INDEPENDENT band Karuna are set to release their 2nd
official single, in February 2018. The band combines a diverse number of
influences to create something uniquely their own. "'Roundabout' explores the common frustrations of today's modern workforce who
face limited job satisfaction, highlighting the menial existence of the under
represented. The Liverpool based Alt rockers may be new faces on the block, but
already they have come up with a sound quite distinct from anything else that
can be heard in the City." - The Culture Journal. "With stunning vocals, a tight band, poetic and easy to relate to lyrics, as
well as a clear passion for their craft, Karuna is a band to watch for." -
Bryon Harris, Indie Spoonful.
To hear the track, click on here:-
here.
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