Northern train times change... Check before you travel!

SINCE 12 December 202, as part of a national change, Northern are reminding customers that new rail timetables has started running. Rail passengers are being advised to check before they travel as there may be changes to their usual journeys and departure times before setting off. They are also being reminded to follow the latest Covid19 restrictions and advice, when travelling on the rail network.

Northern, along with the whole of the UK rail industry, has been planning the timetable change for several months and there will be amendments at Stations across:- Cumbria, Derbyshire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Humberside, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, Merseyside, the North East and North, South and West Yorkshire. It is always important to check journey details before travelling and even more so over the festive period as there are planned changes and amendments across the rail network.

The timetable change will provide customers with more journey options and establish additional reliability in the train schedule. Northern have been advertising the timetable changes via social media and web channels, as well as posters and announcements at Stations and onboard services.

Due to the ongoing impact of the Coronavirus, customers are also advised that there may be some staffing and resource issues and that some services may occasionally be subject to short term alterations and amendments. Customers are also reminded that Government rules say that customers must wear a face covering while travelling on trains and at Stations, unless exempt.

A Northern spokesperson said:- "Our rail timetable changed on Sunday, 12 December 2021 and our message to customers is very clear, please check the details of your journey before you travel as there may be amendments and alterations. We have worked extremely hard to plan the timetable and where possible we will be providing more services across the network. The festive period is always extremely busy and there may be reduced schedules and planned engineering which could affect some journeys. Coronavirus also continues to mean operational challenges and we recommend using:- NationalRail.Co.UK and our digital channels for the most up to date journey information."

Support available for vulnerable people this winter

VULNERABLE families in Liverpool are set to receive extra support with food and fuel bills this winter. Eligible families with children under 1, families with youngsters aged 2 years who are entitled to free early education, and families with children entitled to free School meals will receive 3 weeks' worth of ₤15 supermarket vouchers per child. It's estimated that 30,000 children will benefit with 350 care leavers also receiving support.

Cllr Frazer Lake, Cabinet Member for Adults and Children's Social Care, said:- "Making sure our children and young people are fed and that they are fed well is always a priority for us and doing so during winter is doubly important. Issuing vouchers means that families can choose their own food from their regular supermarket and be confident of its quality. It's likely to be a tougher winter for all of us with rising fuel costs, so we are also committing to issuing fuel vouchers as well which will also help families. I would encourage anyone who is struggling, whether you have children or not, to contact the Liverpool Citizens Support scheme. The team will be able to advise whether you are entitled to any support for basic living expenses."

Food vouchers for children entitled to free School meals will be distributed by Schools before the Christmas break. Families with younger children will receive a letter inviting them to visit their local Children and Family Centre in the new year.

Families receiving supermarket vouchers will also receive cashable vouchers to help with fuel bills. These vouchers will be part of a package of support to help vulnerable people throughout the winter months.

The Council has been awarded over ₤6m from the Government's Household Support Fund which will be distributed via the Council's Liverpool Citizens Support Scheme (LCSS). To find out if you are eligible for LCSS funds please visit the Council's website or call Freephone:- 08004561523 or 01512333053, Monday, to Friday, 8am to 6pm.

As well as food and fuel vouchers, funding will also be used to support other families identified by children's social care, families that need emergency housing support and people in receipt of Council Tax support and/or housing benefit who have been affected by recent changes in benefits.

Household Support Fund monies must be used primarily to support vulnerable households with food, energy and water bills, but can be committed for related items, and at least ˝ the funding must be used to support families with children. The funding must be spent by the end of March 2022.