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Peel Ports pledges support for Liverpool charity

PEEL Ports has given its backing to a Liverpool charity which helps some of City's most vulnerable gain access to the financial support they are entitled to. The Hope Advice Centre was established with the objectives of relieving poverty, sickness and hardship, and advancing education in Merseyside. The charity operates as The Initiative Factory and is based in Hope Street, Liverpool. It provides benefits advice and tribunal representation, employment law advice and debt advice to individuals and families. Peel Ports has made a donation of ₤5,000 to The Initiative Factory and has also offered its support to develop the awareness of the charity locally and amongst its own staff across at the Port of Liverpool. Over the last 5 years The Initiative Factory has obtained an estimated ₤2.5 million in additional benefit for residents of Liverpool. It is run completely by volunteers with no paid staff. The funds donated by Peel Ports will help support the running of the charity.

David Huck, Managing Director at Group Ports at Peel Ports, said:- "We're delighted to give our full support to The Initiative Factory at a time when so many people in Liverpool are struggling to access the services and support which they desperately need. Liverpool is a City which prides itself on its compassion and strength of community, and at Peel Ports we share this philosophy. That's why we are proud to be working with The Initiative Factory to deliver support to individuals and families which need it most."

Tony Nelson from The Initiative Factory said:- "The money donated by Peel Ports is greatly appreciated and the funding will enable The Initiative Factory to attend more home visits and assessments. Home visits are especially important to identify any problems early, many of our clients are seriously ill or disabled and the support we provide can mean a world of difference to their quality of living."

CASE STUDY 1:- 59 year old unemployed single man from the Norris Green area of Liverpool. Mr. X is severely disabled with rheumatoid arthritis and gout. He was on Disability Living Allowance (DLA) until June at which time he was invited to claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP). This is compulsory if a severely disabled person is going to continue receiving a disability benefit PIP. Unfortunately, Mr. X was refused an award of PIP. He went from receiving ₤560.00 per month in Disability Living Allowance (DLA) payments to nil Personal Independent Payment (PIP). Mr X. was using part of his DLA to lease a car from Motability. At that time, he was required to return his car to Motability. If he had given the car back, he would have become housebound.  The Initiative Factory assisted Mr. X to appeal. We negotiated a delay in the requirement to return the car to Motability. An in-depth submission was submitted to HMCTS, which included comprehensive medical evidence. This had been obtained from Mr. X's GP and a consultant rheumatologist. Research of the case law is conducted to ensure as far as possible Mr X. had the best chance of success. He was successful at the hearing. The enhanced rate of the daily living component and the enhanced rate of the mobility component PIP was awarded for a period of 5 years. Mr. X, received ₤7400.00 backdated PIP and ₤3,900.00, in Employment Support Allowance. Going forward, rent arrears and Council Tax, which had accrued waiting for the appeal to be heard, were eradicated.

CASE STUDY 2:- Ms Y, a 36 year old lone parent, from Huyton, was in receipt of DLA in respect of her 16 year old son, (DoB 17 May 2003) who is autistic with violent tendencies. When a child reaches 16 she must claim PIP if disability payments, ie. PIP are to continue. Shortly after his 16th birthday Ms Y's son was invited to claim PIP. The Initiative Factory assisted Ms Y and her son to complete the PIP claim form and accompanied them to the assessment. Initially, Ms Y was in receipt of the middle rate DLA, ₤57.30 per week and the lower rate for the mobility component, ₤22.65 per week. After our advice and assistance Ms Y has been awarded enhanced rate daily living of PIP, ₤85.60 per week and enhanced rate for mobility, ₤59.75 per week.

New report shows support in Liverpool City Region to improve cycling on roads and reduce cars

ROSSLYN Colderley, Director of Sustrans in the North of England, with Simon O Brien, walking and cycling commissioner for Liverpool City Region (right) and Chris Boardman, walking and cycling commissioner for Greater Manchester launch the 1st Bike Life report for Liverpool City Region on the National Cycle Network in Runcorn. PHOTO:- Denis Oates/Sustrans

69% of residents in Liverpool City Region would support building more cycle tracks physically separated from traffic and pedestrians, even if it would mean less room for other road traffic, according to findings from the 1st Bike Life report for the City Region. The Bike Life report, which is published by the charity Sustrans, with Liverpool City Region, is the UK's largest assessment of cycling in 13 Cities and urban areas. It includes an independent survey of 1,491 adult residents in the City Region, aged 16 and over, on their travel habits and satisfaction. There is also data on the health, economic and environmental benefits of cycling in each City.

As UK Cities take action to meet climate targets the report clearly indicates public support in Liverpool City Region for measures to reduce motor vehicle use. 64% of those surveyed agreed that restricting through-traffic on local residential streets would make their area a better place to live and work, while 63% thought streets outside Schools should be closed to cars during drop off and pick up times. 61% of residents in the City Region supported more investment in cycling, compared to 45% for driving. If the financial proceeds were used to help fund public transport, walking and cycling services, 59% support the idea of charging more polluting vehicles (including private cars) entering City Centres.

Many residents are less likely to cycle regularly, for example women and disabled people. However, all groups want cycling safety to be improved. 74% of residents in the City Region said that safety for cycling needs to be improved. This rises to 77% for disabled people.

The report also revealed:-

► Cycling trips across Liverpool City Region saved 18,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions last year. Cycling took 29,000 cars off the Regions roads each day.

► Whilst the majority of residents never cycle (70%), 30% would like to start.

► ½ of residents agree that too many people are driving in their neighbourhood.

► 59% of residents support charging more polluting vehicles entering the City Centre.

Rosslyn Colderley, North of England Director for Sustrans, the walking and cycling charity said:- "UK Cities and Towns like Liverpool City Region face huge challenges, including the climate crisis, congestion and air pollution. At the root of these problems is the fact that transport in our Cities and Towns have been largely designed for cars. The Bike Life report clearly demonstrates public support to turn away from car-centric planning and make it easier for people to choose to cycle, walk and take public transport. Liverpool City Region already has ambitious plans to reduce car trips and make it more convenient for people to cycle and walk. Our report shows that residents back these plans and want more investment in cycling infrastructure particularly bicycle lanes separated from traffic."

Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor for Liverpool City Region said:- "I'm greatly encouraged to see such overwhelming public support for building safer cycle routes across our City Region. Last autumn I called for a cycling and walking revolution in our City Region, as a key part of our efforts to get people out of their cars and on to healthier, more environmentally friendly forms of transport. It's absolutely clear that to enable people to cycle more we need to make cycling a safer option. That's why we are working with Simon O'Brien, our Cycling and Walking Commissioner, and investing as a City Region in creating a 600km cycling and walking network, that will help people get on their bikes with confidence that they will be safe in doing so. Supporting more people to cycle is vital to tackling the climate emergency, improving our air quality and helping people to be more active, with all the benefits that brings for our physical and mental wellbeing."

Simon O'Brien, Cycling and Walking Commissioner for Liverpool City Region said:- "The importance of the 1st Liverpool City Region Bike Life report cannot be overstated. It does not highlight what people who already ride around our streets want. Far more importantly it gives solid evidence why large numbers of people would but don't ride as part of everyday life. If we are to truly take on the enormous challenges of the Climate Emergency, obesity epidemic, air pollution, congestion, mental health and overall quality of life issues then this document bolsters both the political and financial will to make the bike a major contributor to our transport network throughout the Region. We must act now if we are to continue to compete as a major player on the national and international stage and not lose ground to other forward-thinking conurbations when it comes to attracting investment and people to the Liverpool City Region. Bike Life can be an immensely powerful enabler of such urgently required action."

Bike Life highlights that cycling is one of the best ways to reduce transport emissions in Cities and calls for a step change in investment for zero emission modes of transport such as walking and cycling for everyday journeys. Road transport accounts for 27% of the UK's greenhouse gas emissions, of which the main source is private motor vehicles. Last month, the UK Government brought forward its phase out of diesel and petrol vehicles by 5 years to 2035, to help curb the climate crisis and reach a net zero emission economy by 2050. Yet existing plans lack meaningful investment for walking and cycling. For more information and respective City Bike Life reports visit:- Sustrans.Org.UK.