Closing date extended for entries to the Liverpool City Region Photo Awards

PHOTOGRAPHERS from across the Liverpool City Region still have time to enter the 2023 Liverpool City Region Photo Awards, and see their work displayed in a special exhibition. Launched by Open Eye Gallery with the support of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, the competition celebrates the talent and creativity of photography enthusiasts from across:- Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral.

They have until 9 January 2023 to enter any of the 8 categories in the competition:-

►   People and Places		►   Portrait
►   Still Life		►   Urban Living
►   Living Sustainably		►   Creative
►   Sport		►   Wildlife and Nature

Entry also makes a submission to 1 of the 3 subcategories, Mobile, Analogue and Youth depending on whether the image was taken using a mobile device, traditional film or whether the entrant is under the age of 16.

Sarah Fisher the Executive Director of Open Eye Gallery said:- "Tourists travel from all over the world to take photographs of the Liverpool City Region, whether it's the iconic Liverpool waterfront, the iron men in Crosby or the Dream in St Helens. But what about the photos taken by the 1.6 million people who live in the City Region? We'd like to encourage anyone who's captured a moment in time whether that's a person or a scene, a technique or a something that tells a bigger story. We welcome all levels of expertise and all ages."

The competition is open to anyone living in the City Region. Entrants can submit 3 to 5 images, in 1 chosen category. The images don't have to be new; they can have been taken anywhere, at any time.

Councillor Mike Wharton the Portfolio Holder for Culture, Tourism and The Visitor Economy at the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority said:- "There are some fantastic categories to get involved in which could showcase the Liverpool City Region in such a positive way. If you're the type of person that loves grabbing a snap while you're out and about then we want to hear from you. It would be lovely for the competition to discover a young photographer or see pictures that are making a statement about the world we live in. There are so many possibilities and opportunities available."

Winners will be announced on 9 March 2023 and their photos will be on display as part of the Liverpool City Region Photo Awards 2023 exhibition. Prizes also include:-

►   £1,600 in cash prizes.

►   Stay and breakfast at INNSiDE x2.

►   Free memberships at dot-art Darkroom.

►   Darkroom materials from Harman Technology.

►   More details; including the submission form; are available on the competition website.
 

Millions encouraged to Get Around For £2 by bus

PASSENGERS are being encouraged to Get Around for £2 by bus from:- January to March 2023, with bus operators launching a campaign to promote the Government fare cap scheme. The scheme will help families, commuters and other passengers save money this winter, backed by £60 million Government investment to cap single tickets at £2 from 1 January to 31 March 2023 across England, outside of London. With the average single local bus ticket costing £2.80, passengers will save almost a third of the ticket price per journey. In some rural areas a single ticket can cost over £5. The scheme seeks to get more commuters on buses and helps to reduce emissions and congestion by taking an estimated 2 million cars off the roads.

This week, the Government has confirmed over 130 bus operators such as National Express and Stagecoach managing routes from the north to the south of England will charge no more than £2 for their single tickets, helping passengers with travel costs for education, work and medical appointments as they face pressures from the rising cost of living.

Buses Minister Richard Holden said:-  "Brits love buses. They're the most popular form of public transport in England, making up 50% of all journeys. So we're investing £60 million to cap single bus fares at £2 to help families, students and commuters and get people back on the bus. The scheme will also take 2 million car journeys off the road and it's fantastic to see so many bus operators signing up. So, if you're in Carlisle or Weston Super Mare, Birmingham or Doncaster, make sure you hop on the bus and - Get Around for £2' between the 1st January and 31st March."

Bus fares vary across different parts of the country and between bus operators, and the cap is an important step in ensuring passengers across the country are getting a fair deal.

The scheme forms part of the Government's Help for Households campaign, as the new cap can deliver real savings for those most affected by the rising cost of living.

The bus fare cap will also help the bus industry continue its recovery from the pandemic by encouraging greater bus use.  

This initiative builds on the allocation of more than £2 billion to support bus services in England through the pandemic and a commitment to fund improved services, new bus priority measures and new electric or hydrogen buses as part of Bus Back Better, the ambitious national bus strategy, published last year.  

Tom Stables, CEO of National Express UK, said:- "More people using buses is good for the economy, environment and wider society. We know that great value, low fares encourage people to switch to the bus so are proud to join this scheme. And even better, we're also freezing child fares at £1. Bus travel is simple, cheap and easy and there's never been a better time to get onboard."

Elsewhere, a bus fares pilot scheme, backed by £23.5 million of Government funding, launched in Cornwall this April has already seen a significant increase in passenger numbers.

Working alongside the:- 'Any Ticket Any Bus' Campaign, the fares pilot, running over 4 years, includes a £2.50 day ticket within Towns or a £5 day ticket across all of Cornwall, which is valid across different bus operators.

Ensuring the public can access affordable bus fares will encourage more people to choose buses for local journeys, which in turn will help to reduce carbon emissions as the country moves towards our Net Zero targets. 

Graham Vidler, Chief Executive of the Confederation of Passenger Transport said:- "We look forward to welcoming more customers on board when the £2 fare cap in England starts in January, as it complements great value fares already in place that make taking the bus more attractive and environmentally friendly this winter. Travelling for £2 on the bus both helps customers facing rising cost challenges and try a new travel option to get to work, education, public services, leisure or see loved ones."

The Government will continue to work closely with bus operators and Local Authorities and consider future support to help passengers continue accessing reliable and affordable bus services after March 2023.