City's new parking zone to be reviewed

A set of parking measures trialled around Everton FC's new Stadium are to be reviewed. The measures, introduced under an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) for the Stadium's 1st event last month, have been suspended primarily around the business areas within the new zone.

The review formally begins today, following yesterday's successful 2nd test event at the waterfront Stadium.

The temporary cessation of the measures comes into effect along the City's waterfront from its Northern extremity by Canada Dock down to the Leeds Street corridor at the City Center boundary, and eastwards across to the Pumpfields district.

The new ETRO parking zone will continue to be in place within the residential districts, from the Eldonian Village across to Great Homer Street and North to:- "the Shakespeare streets" in Kirkdale.

Residents who have not yet applied for parking permits are encouraged to do so. These permits are free. Each household is allowed a visitor permit, which is also free.

The announcement to review the measures in the business areas of the zone enables the Council to consider the feedback from the public consultation exercise, which was launched to coincide with the new ETRO. Liverpool City Council has so far received more than 5,000 responses.

A number of amendments to the new parking zone have already been announced following the 1st test event.

An updated ETRO is expected to be announced by August before the new football season begins and Everton FC start to host matches at their stunning Bramley Moore Dock venue.

A further series of improvements, identified from the 1st test event, have also now been implemented, including:-

A review of the event traffic management plan on road closures ahead of the second test event. This was to ensure closures were enacted and communicated more effectively.
Improvements to Street Lighting on walking routes to and from the Stadium.
Improved pedestrian wayfinding signage between:- Sandhills Station and City Center Stations and the Stadium.
Temporary signage to shuttle bus and taxi rank locations.

What about Blue Badge holders? Blue Badge holders can park for as long as they need to within the suspended business parking permit areas, and for up to 3 hours on a yellow line (unless a loading ban is in place). Badge holders can also park on yellow lines, unless there is a loading restriction, but they will need to clearly display their badge and blue parking clock as well as ensuring the vehicle is not causing an obstruction.

Cllr Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said:- "The new Stadium has created new challenges on parking in this part of the City, adding to the pressures from commuters, and the changing needs of a growing area for business. It's important we get these measures right. Since the consultation launched last month we've had a lot of feedback. The Council has listened carefully. The legal basis for the new restrictions enables us to make amendments in the light of evidence and experience. We will now take the time between now and the start of the new football season to get the balance of new measures right, and in the meantime suspend the measures in the parts of the zone of most concern to local businesses. There is still the year-round issue of commuter parking affecting our residential areas with the zone, so it makes absolute sense for the measures to continue there. We are also working closely with colleagues at the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority on their plans for public transport provision and we are in in active dialogue with them and Everton FC to ensure changes and improvements are made."

Cllr Dan Barrington, Liverpool City Council's Cabinet Member for Transport and Connectivity, said:- "It's been a month since this experimental parking zone launched and we've already learnt a lot about its operation and impact. The second test on:- Sunday feels like the right time to take stock of what we've learned so far and carefully consider the arrangements that need to apply from August. Our Highways team will continue to analyse all the feedback from the consultation, and the evidence generated from the test events, to find ways to make amendments and improvements. We know this takes a few months to carry out, so in the meantime will temporarily suspend the traffic order in the business areas of the zone. The issue of illegal and unsafe parking on double yellow lines and pavements that blights the area, specifically on the residential areas cannot be overlooked. These issues impact the area all year round and it's vital we get the balance right to ensure the parking measures supports businesses and the area's economic development, whilst providing residents with the protection they deserve."

More funding to combat rural and wildlife crime

RURAL communities will be better protected from the scourge of crimes such as:- equipment theft, livestock theft and hare coursing which can devastate countryside communities, farming and wildlife through a funding boost to dedicated Police units.

The National Rural Crime Unit and National Wildlife Crime Unit will receive over �800k to continue their work tackling rural and wildlife crime, which can pose unique challenges for policing given the scale and isolation of rural areas.

Funding to the National Rural Crime Unit will enable the unit to continue to increase collaboration across Police forces, harnessing the latest technology and data to target the serious organised crime groups involved in crimes like equipment theft from farms.

The National Wildlife Crime Unit will strengthen its ability to disrupt criminal networks exploiting endangered species both in the UK and internationally. Enhanced data analysis and financial investigation will help the unit track illegal wildlife profits and ensure offenders face justice.

The funding comes as the Government works with the National Police Chiefs' Council to deliver the new Rural and Wildlife Crime Strategy, to ensure the entire weight of Government is put behind tackling rural crime.

Minister for Crime and Policing Dame Diana Johnson said:- "When you report a crime, it should be properly investigated, with victims having faith that justice will be delivered, and criminals punished. But too often victims of crime in rural communities have been left feeling undervalued and isolated, whether it be famers having equipment or livestock stolen, or villages targeted by car thieves and county lines gangs. This new funding, alongside the forthcoming Rural and Wildlife Crime Strategy and our Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, will help deliver the change rural communities deserve, ensuring no matter where you live your streets are safe and Police responsive to your local needs as we continue to deliver on our Plan for Change."

The Government is determined to ensure its Safer Streets Mission applies to all communities no matter where they live with rural communities set to benefit from more visible local policing through the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee.

This will deliver 13,000 more neighbourhood Police Officers and Police Community Support Officers by the end of Parliament as part of the Prime Minister's Plan for Change.

Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Steve Reed said:- "For too long, rural crime has gone unpunished. Organised crime, fly-tipping and farm theft blight our countryside. This Government will crackdown on these criminals and bring them to justice with specialist rural policing units to protect farmers and our rural communities."

The new funding follows the Government's flagship Crime and Policing Bill, which gives Police and local authorities new powers to tackle crime, including crimes that do real damage to rural communities.

This includes:- new measures to enable statutory guidance to be issued to local authorities to support them to make full and proper use of their fly-tipping enforcement powers.

Alongside new warrantless powers of entry for Police to enter premises identified by electronic mapping giving Officers a valuable tool to tackle stolen equipment and machinery from farms and agricultural businesses.

The Government is committed to implementing the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023 which will make it harder for criminals to sell stolen agricultural equipment. Secondary legislation is due to be introduced later this year.

Superintendent Andrew Huddleston, Head of National Rural Crime Unit said:- "This funding is critical and will enable information sharing and joint operations to continue across the UK facilitated by the National Rural Crime Co-Ordinator. The contribution to the replacement of the Operational Team vehicles is equally important as it will allow the continued support of forces on the ground and recovery of equipment which since the inception of the team in 2023 stands at over �22 million in recovered stolen equipment."

Chief Inspector Kevin Lacks-Kelly, Head of UK Wildlife Crime said:- "This funding is a significant step forward in the fight against wildlife crime. By enhancing our intelligence capabilities and strengthening enforcement, we will be better equipped to protect endangered species and disrupt the criminals who exploit them. The UK is seen as a Center of excellence in tackling this global issue, working closely with international partners to ensure a safer future for our planet's wildlife."

The funding for the National Wildlife Crime Unit will reinforce the UK's leadership in global wildlife crime prevention, through the unit's work with INTERPOL and global enforcement agencies to combat the illegal wildlife trade on a worldwide scale.

Wildlife crime not only threatens biodiversity, but also fuels organised crime and corruption.

Country Land and Business Association (CLA) President Victoria Vyvyan said:- "Rural crime blights the countryside, so we welcome the news of more funding as well as the upcoming launch of the new national strategy. Farmers and communities; many already struggling with isolation; have had enough of criminals and violent organised gangs targeting them. They deserve to feel safe and protected. As recent CLA analysis found, some Police forces lack dedicated rural Officers and basic kit. This new funding is a step in the right direction in the fight against rural crime, and must be used to equip more Officers as well as improve training for call handlers."

News reports located on this page = 2.

City's new parking zone to be reviewed

More funding to combat rural and wildlife crime