News reports located on this page = 4.

Merseyrail launches smoking ban at all Stations

ALL passengers from 1 December 2019 will not be allowed to smoke in any public areas of Merseyrail Stations or Platforms with the exception of Car Parks. The move comes off the back of the national Stoptober campaign, and is part of Merseyrail's commitment to cleaner air and the comfort of its passengers across the network. Vaping and e-cigarettes are also included in the ban, and Merseyrail staff and Byelaw Enforcement Officers will be actively requesting passengers to stop smoking on Platforms and other areas of Stations from December.  Warnings will be issued to anyone smoking on Platforms, from the 1 December 2019, however those that continue may be fined from 1 January 2020. Andy Heath, Managing Director of Merseyrail, said:- "The comfort of passengers on our network is absolutely paramount to us, so I am pleased to announce a smoking ban across all of our Stations and Platforms.  Those who wish to smoke will be able to do so in Station Car Parks or off Station property, however we want all passengers to be able to use our trains and Stations comfortably and without the risks of passive smoking, such as lung cancer, asthma and pneumonia."

No Christmas Tree Lights for Ainsdale Village

THIS Christmas, despite the Ainsdale Civic Society having been able to purchase the large tree for the Village Church Garden, they are disappointed to announce that due to a lack of funds and cuts in the Society's usual funding, they can not hold the annual:- 'Christmas Event in Ainsdale' or able to put lights on the tree. In a public statement from the Ainsdale Civic Society, following a number of  residents have contacting them about this, they said:- "We lost a considerable amount at last year's event and at our Summer Fun Day and we have other projects in the pipe line to which our remaining funds are committed. We are so sorry that many of you will be disappointed about this. Sadly, this is also really disappointing for our residents, but that is the reality of the situation."  If you can help them, please do contact our News Room at:- News24@SouthportReorter.Com and we will let them know.

BP Petrol Station Formby, going electric

THE Liverpool Road BP Petrol Station, in Formby, currently has contractors working hard, putting in a very interesting electrical installation. We are told that they are currently installing public ultra fast charging points for electric vehicles. We are told that this is part of a new network of ultra fast charging infrastructure, stretching across the UK, run by BP Chargemaster. Currently the Grapes Hotel, located on Green Lane, is the only location within Formby to offer this service. At present, the network has over 7,000 charge points across the UK and growing. We are told that Lancashire Council, since March 2019, are looking at using charging infrastructure as a way to "generate revenue" via the provision of installing on-road charging points in residential areas. Already Lancashire has around 150 electric charging points on its highways and Liverpool City Council is also well on its way to delivering charging infrastructure, but we have yet to hear from Sefton Council on its plans. But, what do you, our readers think about the move to install chargers at locations like the Liverpool Road BP Station? We think it will definitely be good for the area, both in the short term and in the long run, but do you agree? So, how do you view the situation? What are your thoughts about this and also could this provide a very good way for Sefton to maximising income stream and, in the process, reduce the area's carbon footprint?

Have you registered to vote?

THE Deadline for registering to vote in the General Election, on 12 December 2019 is 11:59pm, on 26 November 2019. This will be the most important General Election the UK has seen in living memory.

If you have not yet registered you should and want to vote by post, the deadline is:-

► 5pm, on 26 November 2019, if you live in England, Scotland or Wales.

► 5pm, on 21 November 2019, if you live in Northern Ireland.

► If you're going to be abroad on Election Day, you can apply to vote by proxy after you've registered. It takes time to vote by post from overseas.

You can register if you're both:-

► Aged 16 or over (or 14 or over in Scotland)

► A UK citizen (or an Irish, EU or Commonwealth citizen with a permanent UK address)

► You will not be able to vote until you're 18. If you live in Scotland, you can vote in Scottish Parliament and Local Elections when you're 16.

For more information please go to:- Gov.UK/Register-To-Vote - Don't miss your chance to have a say in the future of the UK.