Major roads in Liverpool City Centre to close for:- "Car Free Day 2022"

THE Strand, in Liverpool City Centre, which runs along the City's historic waterfront, is set to be transformed into a stage for a fun filled programme of free healthy activities on Thursday, 22 September 2022, from keep fit classes to:- "a bungee run" and live entertainment to giveaways.

Simon O'Brien, Liverpool City Region's Cycling and Walking Commissioner said:- "Car Free Day is the day to begin to reimagine our City. Liverpool City Council are sending the right message with the Strand closure. This will allow everyone in the City Centre to think about what the City will look like in the future. Urban spaces for people. Congestion doesn't need to be any worse because of the closure if everyone decides to leave the car at home for 1 day and try a new way of commuting. Read a book or play an App on the bus. Watch the World go by on the train or get the bike out and enjoy some exercise riding through the Cities amazing parks. Then get down to the Strand at lunch time and enjoy the activities or simply wander around enjoying the Cities fabulous architecture in the quiet clean air and ponder "what if..?"

This means that The Strand, which is 1 of Liverpool's busiest roads will be closed between:- 10am and 4pm, in both directions, from:- Chapel Street to James Street; outside the 3 Graces; the major highway will also host free live music from several LIMF Academy artists.

The closure, which comes in the week a £2 cap is placed on all bus journeys by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, is part of a wider active travel campaign by Liverpool City Council to encourage motorists to think twice about using their car for journeys.

This campaign is a long term bid to improve the City's air quality and develop healthier lifestyles in its citizens by investing in infrastructure to encourage more walking and cycling. As part of this programme, the Council is currently consulting on upgrading 3 cycle lanes in the City with plans on a further 4 routes to be announced later this year. It is also piloting a number of:- "School Streets" to improve the School run.

The Local Authority has also just completed a £22m upgrade to The Strand, which handles more than 1,000 vehicles per hour on a usual working day. This included widening pavements, installing 100 new trees and creating a purpose built segregated 2 way cycle lane, as part of a bid to improve the environment and safety along the busy thoroughfare.

The scheme, which recently won a design award from the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation(CIHT), has allowed the Council to reclaim more than an acre of land for pedestrians and cyclist to enjoy and use.

Cllr Dan Barrington, Liverpool City Council's Cabinet member for Transport and Climate Change, said:- "World Car Free Day is an opportunity for everyone to try a different way of getting from a to b that is better for them and the planet. The Strand has just undergone a dramatic transformation to give pedestrians and cyclists a more enjoyable and safer experience, so it's the perfect place to celebrate World Car Free Day. I'm delighted that we have such a fantastic variety of activities to showcase what a great space The Strand has become for people to enjoy and I'd like to thank everyone who has worked on the programme. I know this closure will cause some inconvenience but when it comes to the environment we have to accept that the car is causing a huge amount of damage; to our lungs and as an accelerator to climate change. As a society we need to rely less and less on the car and move towards a more balanced active travel approach; with a greater use of public transport too. The benefits are there for all to see; healthier bodies, healthier minds and a healthier planet. I hope as many people as possible can find time to come down to The Strand on World Car Free Day next Thursday to see for themselves how little changes, which we can all make, can have a big impact on each other and our City."

On Word Car Free Day, people can enjoy a wide range of free activities on this famous stretch of The Strand between:- 11am and 3pm, including:-

► Live 30 minute fitness class by JD Gyms.

► Live 30 minute fitness class from Lifestyles.

► Smoothie Bikes; make your own smoothie by pedalling fast!

► Col8 bikes to ride around The Strand.

►Inflatable obstacle courses.

►Free freshly backed healthy snacks from Squash Nutrition.

►Free coffee from a local coffee supplier.

►PLUS the chance to have your bike serviced and checked.

There will also be a host of companies on site offering information and support including World Gymnastics and Asthma UK with the City Council providing information about its leisure services and recycling operations.

A series of diversions will be in place on the day from:- 9am, redirecting vehicles away from The Strand via Leeds Street and Grove Street. The closed stretch of The Strand is expected to reopen by:- 5pm. Access will be maintained to the blue badge bays on:- Brunswick Street / Mann Island throughout the day. Please remember, the 1 Stop Shop in the Cunard Building is closed on a Thursday.

30 new jobs and £1m new paint plant as Rainford Solutions expands in 40th Year

LOCAL company Rainford Solutions is creating 30 new jobs as it expands to meet demand for its indoor and outdoor cabinets and enclosures that are an essential part of the UK's critical infrastructure. The company has also invested £1 million in a state of the art electrostatic powder painting plant at its site in Mill Lane, Rainford, which was officially opened by the Mayor of St. Helens, Councillor Sue Murphy.

Rainford Solutions' Managing Director, Jerome Fox said:- "We're celebrating 40 years this year, during which time our business has gone from strength to strength. In the last 3 years we've more than doubled revenue and increased our team by 70 people to 170: a considerable achievement given the Covid Pandemic. This growth is driven by demand for our cabinets and enclosures because they're an essential part of the UK's critical infrastructure that we all rely on, especially in high speed broadband and 5G, rail, energy and defence markets."

Speaking at the opening event, the Mayor said:- "It's wonderful to have a facility like this in St Helens and the investment you have made is so important to the area, for which I thank you. Today I've seen the amazing work you do and heard how you all carried on working so hard during Covid. Each and every 1 of you is doing a great job."

The new paint facility has created 7 new jobs and the company is recruiting a further 24 hires in other parts of the business including:- assembly, welding, electrical, technical sales support and customer services.

Jerome adds:- "This latest investment is part of our on-going growth strategy, further reinforcing our operational capability to satisfy customers. We now have full in-house control of our processes from design, through manufacturing, to final product delivery."

The 950 sq. m plant is 1 of the most advanced and eco friendly in house powder paint operations in the UK and will bring significant benefits to the business in:- process control, capacity, speed, reliability and powder coating performance.

MPs question Port of Liverpool access road in parliamentary debate

ON Wednesday, 7 September, MPs debated access to the Port of Liverpool in what campaigners believe to be a significant milestone in their fight to protect Rimrose Valley Country Park. Called by Bootle MP, Peter Dowd, the debate was supported by adjoining constituency MP for Sefton Central, Bill Esterson. It centred around the impact National Highways' proposed A5036 Port of Liverpool Access Scheme would have on communities and the environment in South Sefton, Merseyside. Peter Dowd questioned the budget and ambition of the Government's road project, calling for multi-modal, sustainable solutions to be put forward in its place.

His views were echoed by Mike Kane MP, Shadow Transport Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Security. Whilst welcoming investment in the Region, he said that this could not come at any cost, commenting:- "We must look at alternatives to this scheme; listening to Councillors, MPs, the Metro Mayor and local residents […] We need a Government that's committed to an integrated and innovative transport strategy."

Former Transport Minister, Karl McCartney MP responded on behalf of the Government, defending the scheme, citing the importance of the Port of Liverpool for economic growth, and advising that National Highways has a duty to mitigate the road's impact. He also hinted at compromise, adding:- "National Highways is helping the City Region to develop [its] Local Transport plan, and the Department is awaiting the outcome with interest […] The project team is interested in developing opportunities to promote a more sustainable transport solution, potentially in partnership with the Liverpool freeport team and Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram […] with whom I had a very cordial meeting over the summer."

Several campaigners from Save Rimrose Valley made the trip to London to witness the debate. Commenting afterwards, Stuart Bennett said:- "We have been trying for some time to secure a debate on this topic at Westminster, so we are grateful to Peter Dowd for making this happen and to Bill Esterson for his support. The reason this is so important is that, ultimately, this is where the fate of Rimrose Valley, the surrounding communities and this road proposal will be decided. We note that since the debate, Karl McCartney MP no longer holds his ministerial position. However, we will be following up on his comments directly with our Metro Mayor, MPs and Councillors to better understand the discussions that have been taking place on this issue. It is vital that there is continuity and that any progress made and assurances given by previous ministers are acted upon by their successors."

Living Well bus returns for free health checks and all Covid19 jabs

THE 'Living Well' bus is returning to Netherton on:- Tuesday, 20 September 2022, to offer free holistic health checks and 1st, 2nd or booster doses of the Covid19 vaccine to Sefton residents, including the seasonal (autumn) booster for those eligible.

The bus will be parked outside Netherton Activity Centre from:- 10:30am to 4pm, and residents can come along throughout the day with no appointments needed.

Covid19 vaccines will be available for anyone aged 5 and older who has not yet been vaccinated, or who has missed their second jab or 1st booster dose. The team will also be offering the seasonal (autumn) booster to those who are currently eligible. You can find more details about this on the NHS website at:- NHS.UK/Covid-Vaccination.

Free health checks will also be available for residents aged 18 and over, which include a pulse check and blood pressure check, cholesterol and blood glucose check and a BMI check, which will help to spot early signs of conditions like stroke, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and kidney disease.

Residents who are unable to visit the Living Well bus this time can also access free blood pressure checks at the Strand By Me shop in Bootle Strand shopping centre until March 2023.

The Living Well Bus will be with us in Sefton 1 day every week until March 2023, once venues are confirmed we will share this information.