Power UP! Mayor announces £10m fund to expand electric vehicle charging across the Liverpool City Region

LIVERPOOL City Region Mayor, Steve Rotheram has announced that £10m is being committed to increase the number of electric vehicle charging points across Region.

The funding, secured by the Mayor and Combined Authority, will be used to improve and expand the Region's on street charging network helping households without private driveways or off street parking; including:- people living in apartments and terraced houses; to access charge points, helping to remove a potential barrier to using electric vehicles.

If plans are agreed at this week's Combined Authority meeting, funds could also be used to install charge points at key locations like railway station car parks and to support an increase in the city Region's number of fast charging hubs; which can charge electric cars in as little as 20 minutes.

Currently there are around 600 publicly available charge points across the Region, but the number will be set to markedly increase with this new funding boost.

The project is set to create a number of jobs and training opportunities in the Region, with funding to employ an Electric Vehicle project team to work across all 6 boroughs of the Liverpool City Region (Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and the Wirral).

The Liverpool City Region was the 1st in the country to declare a climate emergency and Mayor Rotheram has set the Region an ambitious target to be net zero carbon by 2040; at least 10 years ahead of national Government.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:- "We have a responsibility to cut our carbon emissions, rapidly decarbonise and, ultimately, to save our planet. I want the Liverpool City Region to be at the forefront of the green industrial revolution, leading the charge towards net zero, and taking advantage of the myriad of jobs, investment and opportunities that it will provide. A 3rd of all emissions in our Region come from transport, so increasing the use of electric vehicles will help our wider efforts to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality. I'm working to build a cleaner, more reliable public transport network but I appreciate there are a myriad of reasons as to why, for some, this simply isn't the best way of getting around. Not only are we increasing the number of electric vehicle charging points across our Region, but improving access for those households without driveways or off-street parking, which will make it much easier for people to switch to greener forms of transport. Alongside the investments we're making to build a London-styl"e transport network, including:- £70m in new and improved active travel infrastructure, we're making our area the greenest place possible to get around."

Working with local Council s, the Combined Authority will draw up plans for how best to invest the funding, with more information on specific numbers and locations of charge points to follow.

Lifesaving blood bank service for dogs is coming to Wirral, Merseyside!

COULD your dog be a lifesaver? Pet Blood Bank UK has announced that they are starting to run lifesaving blood donation days in Wirral and they need the Town's dogs to come forward. Sanderson Vet has partnered with the charity and is looking for donor dogs to attend their very 1st session on:- Sunday, 19 November 2023.

This is the 1st time the charity has visited Wirral to run dog blood donation sessions and they are very excited to welcome lots of fantastic new donors to their lifesaving pack.

Pet Blood Bank is just like the human blood service, but for dogs. They collect blood donations from donor dogs across the UK which then go towards helping to save the lives of other dogs in need. Every donation a dog gives can help to save the lives of up to 4 other dogs. Dogs in Wirral, as well as all dogs across the UK, have access to the lifesaving blood should they ever need it, so it really is a vital service.

To become a donor, your dog must weigh more than 25kg, be between the ages of:- 1 and 8, and be fit and healthy. It is also important that they are confident, enjoy meeting new people, and having new experiences.

The donation itself only takes:- 5 to 10 minutes, but owners should expect their dogs to be with the team for around:- 35 to 40 minutes. Dogs receive a full health check from the Pet Blood Bank vet before donating and get showered with treats, fuss, and attention throughout their appointment. They even get a goody bag and toy to take home, as well as the pride of being a lifesaver.

Following their 1st session on:- Sunday, 19 November 2023, Pet Blood Bank plans to visit:- Wirral every:- 2 to 3 months going forward, so owners are encouraged to register their dogs even if they will miss the 1st date.

Nicole Osborne from Pet Blood Bank UK said:- "We are so excited to launch our very 1st dog blood donation session in Wirral. We are looking forward to meeting lots of new donors and really getting the local community behind our mission to help save the lives of dogs across the country. We would love to hear from anyone interested in finding out more or coming along to our session at Sanderson Vet on Sunday, 19 November 2023."

If you are interested in finding out more and registering your dog as a donor, please visit:- PetBloodBankUK.Org or call the charity directly on:- 01509232222.