Plans submitted for new Waterfront Car Park

LIVERPOOL City Council have submitted an outline planning application to erect a new multi storey car park, on the City's waterfront.

The 1,650 space facility is to replace the existing 1,400 space car park on Kings Dock, which was destroyed by fire on New Year's Eve, December 2017.

The new 9 floor car park, at Monarch's Quay, would service the ACC Liverpool complex, which includes the Echo Arena, BT Convention centre and Exhibition Centre Liverpool.

Costing ₤26m, the new car park is being funded from a combination of general Council spending and monies generated from the insurance pay out from the fire. The car park will be fitted with:- a state of the art CCTV and payments system, electric charging points, sprinkler system,15 motorcycle spaces and 50 cycle spaces.

A series of highway improvements are also being proposed to improve access into and out of the car park, especially after sell out events at ACC Liverpool, to reduce congestion within the City Centre.

Councillor James Noakes, Liverpool City Council's Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways, said:- "It's been 7 months since that devastating fire and every day since Council Officers have been working to get us to the point where a long term solution can be delivered. Every element of that traumatic night has been very complex and at times very sensitive, not least for those who have had to navigate the often labyrinthine processes for insurance claims. The temporary facilities have ensured business continues at the venues, and to date it has worked seamlessly, to the credit of everyone involved. This new car park will be built to latest specifications will give ACC Liverpool a facility that will more than meet its growing needs. Having recently completed the new Victoria Street Car Park I am confident this new facility will be built on schedule and to a very high quality."

Subject to planning approval, the new car park will be built in front of the Exhibition Centre on former in filled docks by constructors Willmott Dixon, and is planned for completion by Christmas 2019.

As a temporary measure the Council is also erecting a four floor, 600 space car park adjacent to the current car park to support events at the waterfront venues. This will be completed and ready for operation by the autumn.

Lancashire Care shortlisted for Nursing Times Awards

THE Nursing Times Awards seek to recognise, celebrate and support the achievements of the nursing community and have successfully shortlisted Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust for a prestigious award.

The Trust's Community Restart Service have successfully been shortlisted in the:- 'Nursing in Mental Health' category for their work in providing a broad and diverse therapeutic social inclusion service for people experiencing mental ill health. The team have been recognised for their work in promoting self care and for providing increased opportunities within active local communities.

The service has enabled service users to have the tools to care for themselves, find more independence and improve their own quality of life.

Lisa Smith, Service Manager at Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust said:- "We are delighted to have been recognised nationally for the Nursing Times Awards 2018. The service aim was to deliver social inclusion within the local community rather than people having to access this through traditional Day Services and Centres. Initially those who have always used conventional Day Centre provision were unhappy, with many believing this approach to services could not be replaced within the general community. We now work in partnership with over 65 organisations to deliver social inclusion for people in Lancashire and regularly receive positive service user and peer feedback about how valuable our service is to them. We are so pleased to have been shortlisted and are looking forward to celebrating our achievements at the awards ceremony later this year!"

The Community Restart Team is a modern, forward thinking service that has co-production with service users at its heart. The team are dedicated to improving quality of life, promoting opportunities and improving the outcome for people across Lancashire and work in partnership with service users, carers, mental health specialists, employment and housing services and third sector agencies to support people to improve their own health and wellbeing.

The winners will be announced at a glittering evening of recognition, on the 31 October 2018, at Grovenor House Hotel, in London.

For more information about the service please visit:- Lancashirecare.NHS.UK/Community-Restart and for more information about the Nursing Times Awards or to view the full shortlist, please visit:- Awards.NursingTimes.Net.