Mayor of Liverpool thanks motorists for patience

THE Mayor of Liverpool has thanked motorists for their patience travelling around the City Centre following the closure of a major road. Churchill Way Flyovers, which run directly behind the City's Museums and Galleries, in William Brown Street, closed in, both directions, last Friday, for at least 6 months after a routine inspection discovered several design flaws and concluded further investigation works needed to be done.

No major diversion issues have so far arisen, but this weekend will also see phased closures of The Strand, the main waterfront road in the City Centre, on Friday (3pm to 8pm), Saturday (8am to 6pm) and Sunday (6am to 7pm), as Liverpool hosts a major street theatre spectacle featuring 3 giants.

In anticipation of the event, the Mayor is urging visitors and residents to use public transport when coming to the City Centre.

Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson said:- "I'd like to thank drivers and road users in the City for working with us and finding alternative routes.  We've been changing the traffic lights in the area to accommodate changes in traffic and we're rescheduling roadworks in nearby areas to ease congestion. I can assure people that we didn't take the decision to close the Flyovers lightly. As soon as I was briefed on the technical challenges and the concerns of independent structural engineers last week, I had no choice, but to act. Although were told there's no imminent risk of collapse, or anything like that, the only responsible course of action was to immediately shut both North and South Flyovers and let the structural engineers carry out the survey work they need to do in order to tell us whether the Flyovers are still viable. This is going to take about 6 months. In the meantime we have The Giants this weekend, which will clearly place added burdens on the City Centre roads network. My plea is that, wherever people can, use public transport instead. If you have to travel in by car be prepared for long delays and plan your day accordingly."

The diversion routes for the Churchill Way Flyovers are:-

►   North Flyover; Traffic on Tithebarn Street are directed to take a left on Vauxhall Road then right on to Leeds Street, then right on to Byrom Street and up Hunter Street to the junction with St Anne Street and into the City Centre.

►   South Flyover; Traffic on Lime Street are directed to continue onto Commutation Row then left onto Islington, down on to Hunter Street then left onto Byrom Street into the City Centre; where they can access lower Dale Street from the tunnel roundabout. Equally traffic on Hunter Street can continue north on the A59 and then take a left at Leeds Street to access the waterfront.

►   The bus lane on St Johns Lane heading up to Lime Street Station is suspended.

For more travel information about the giants weekend (Liverpool's Dream) please visit:- GiantSpectacular.Com.

Ambulance Service launches 'star in a car' campaign to recruit more volunteer drivers

NORTH West Ambulance Service (NWAS) is seeking more volunteer car drivers across the Region to help transport patients to routine Hospital appointments. Every day, volunteers across Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside drive patients to routine appointments, to support the NWAS Patient Transport Service.

The ambulance service describes each volunteer as a 'star in a car' and has launched a new campaign to recruit more stars, and their wheels.

Publicity material across a range of media features a number of current volunteers explaining why they became drivers and how the service benefits patients, families, the NHS and volunteer drivers themselves. Many drivers say volunteering helps them to build their own self confidence and skills through training in computers, 1st aid and safeguarding.

Volunteer driving is flexible, rewarding and scheduled around people's lives. Many volunteers say they enjoy keeping busy while doing something meaningful. No previous experience is required, and full training is provided by NWAS. Volunteers use their own car and are reimbursed for travel costs.

Drivers can volunteer for just a few hours a week or for longer. Some drive within the North West Region while others transport patients on longer journeys to and from Hospitals in other parts of the UK.

Overall NWAS says 1.5 million patients in the North West use its patient transport service every year. All patients have a medical need for transport, but 600,000 of them are able to be transported by volunteer drivers without any need to be lifted. However only 250,000 of these patients are currently being transported by volunteer drivers.

NWAS wants to expand the number of volunteer drivers to help transport the remaining 350,000 patients to and from Hospital appointments, to help provide a more responsive service to patients with additional needs.

Volunteer drivers come from a wide range of rural and urban communities. At present, NWAS has 311 active drivers who, on average, provide transport for two patients in their spare time on a day of volunteering.

There are some fascinating facts highlighting the work by volunteer drivers. Their combined service currently comes to a total of 150,000 volunteer hours worked per year. That is equal to 6,250 days or just over 17 years of volunteer time. Overall, they cover a lot of ground too. They currently drive a combined total distance of 5,892,446 miles per year. That equates to travelling 236 times around the world or making 12 return trips to the moon.

The new 'star in a car' campaign includes:- social media, videos, leaflets, posters, car air fresheners and outdoor banners.

Volunteers have been explaining why they drive as part of the recruitment campaign.

Nigel Pinchen, 36, from Lancashire, said:- "I've volunteered since 2017. I became a volunteer because my dad used the service as patient. I see volunteering as a way of repaying the ambulance service for helping him. I love volunteer driving. It gives me a great sense of well being and I really feel appreciated by patients and ambulance staff. The flexibility is great, so I can continue to work as a professional darts player."

Ian Stringer, Head of Patient Transport Service at NWAS said:- "There are many reasons why people become volunteer drivers; they typically enjoy driving, helping people and want to give something back to the community. Whatever your reason for becoming a volunteer driver, you'll find it extremely rewarding. We will give you all the training you need, and help you with any paperwork or processes linked to becoming an ambulance service volunteer. As a volunteer driver, you'll step into people's lives for 1 off or regular appointments. During that time, you'll make a huge difference to them and the NHS. We encourage applications from drivers of all ages, from all communities and cultures."

To join the NWAS team of volunteer drivers, go to:- NWAS.NHSUK/Drive or call:- 0345 112 0 999 to talk about volunteering.