Letter to the Editor:- "Parking on pavements."

"EVERYONE should be able to walk on pavements without worrying about vehicles blocking their way. Cars parked on pavements force people into the road, which is particularly dangerous for many, including:- blind and partially sighted people, parents with pushchairs and young children, wheelchair users and others who use mobility aids. Pavement surfaces are not designed to carry the weight of vehicles, and the added maintenance cost of repairing cracked and damaged paving adds an unnecessary financial burden to our already cash strapped Council. Southport Reporter has a real opportunity to take a proactive lead on pavement parking, and should be applying for traffic regulation orders to ban pavement parking across the area." Stephen Scott, Southport.

Editors note:- "Thanks Stephen for your email. As far as we are aware, parking a vehicle on the pavement could result in a fixed penalty notice being issued as the vehicle could be committing the offence of obstruction. We are also told that it's already an offence to park a goods vehicle over 7.5 tonnes on a verge or pavement. It will depend on the circumstances though... We are a local newspaper and sadly do not have the resources or the knowledge."
 

Metro Mayor Announces Liverpool City Region Economic Recovery Panel

METRO Mayor Steve Rotheram has announced the creation of a Liverpool City Region Economic Recovery Panel, to help steer the City Region through the economic recovery following the Coronavirus crisis. Made up of local business leaders, representatives of Central Government and national bodies, Council ;eaders and members of the Local Enterprise Partnership Board, and chaired by the Metro Mayor, the Recovery Panel will aim to maximise the impact of economic recovery funding to help individuals, businesses, third sector, public and community organisations to build back better in the aftermath of the pandemic.

Speaking about the Economic Recovery Panel, Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:- "I am doing all I can to help local businesses to survive in the here and now, but it's important to begin planning for how we best rebuild and grow after the Coronavirus. I am launching the Liverpool City Region Economic Recovery Panel to bring together experts from a range of sectors to help our Region's business and voluntary maximise their share of the funding they need. It will also give our Region a single, united voice to lobby Government for the funding and programmes that we need. Before this pandemic struck, the Liverpool City Region had the fastest gross value added (GVA) growth in the whole of England, at 3.5%, and well above average productivity growth. We can make a huge contribution to national economic recovery but we know that the scale of the challenge is such that we will need major support from Government. This panel will enable us to gain a clear understanding of national funding so we can maximise its impact across the City Region, while making sure that national funding programmes understand and reflect our local needs. There can, however, be no return to business as usual. I want our Region to Build Back Better; to show the rest of the country how we can build a thriving economy that is fairer, greener and more inclusive than what went before."

The key roles for the Recovery Panel will be:-

► Understanding the context for recovery funding by assembling a clear picture of the national context and of local need.

► Applying this context to the Liverpool City Region, for which the local industrial strategy is the key guide at the City.

► Region level, with important sub-Regional plans also relevant.

► Supporting the local Recovery Plans of constituent Local Authorities.

► Coordinating and aligning funding streams to maximise scale, delivery and impact, helping to fund the City Region's economic recovery plan.

► Considering best practice, local opportunities and solutions, and innovating where beneficial.

► Creating a feedback loop between national Government and Government agency programmes.

► Secure buy in from across the City Region on the content and submission of the recovery plan.

LEP Chair Asif Hamid MBE will establish a challenge group to engage with the City Region's recovery plan. The Group will assure that it is sufficiently directed towards becoming a globally competitive economy and that its overall ambition is sufficiently high. It is expected that the Panel will meet regularly, initially monthly, for the next 12 to 18 months. Combined Authority officers shall staff the Panel. Their work shall link closely with member Local Authorities. A proportionate number of senior officers from both the combined authority and its Local Authorities may participate in the meetings as appropriate.

Running track to be restored to former glory

COMMUNITY groups in Sefton have come together to restore a once popular running track on Rimrose Valley Country Park. Schools, Athletics Clubs and individuals all took advantage of the facility known locally as 'Chaffers,' before it fell into disrepair. After hearing about efforts being made to reinstate the track, local runner, Chris Murphy, introduced park charity Rimrose Valley Friends and the Rimrose Runners Club to John Carragher. Jamie Carragher's brother, John, is a founding member of Marsh Lane Harriers running club and is connected to the 23 Foundation who have stepped in with an offer to fund and deliver the project. The joint venture between Rimrose Valley Friends and Marsh Lane Harriers required plans and applications to be submitted to Sefton Council. These have now been approved and a 2 year license has been granted to restore and use the track. Work is expected to begin in the very near future.

Speaking on behalf of Rimrose Valley Friends, Trustee Linda Gaskell said:- "We're so excited about this project and are hugely grateful to Marsh Lane Harriers and the 23 Foundation for helping to make this happen. Everyone involved is aware of the threat of Highways England's road. The fact that the foundation has decided to support this anyway and Sefton Council has given the go ahead is a huge statement of intent and shows how we are planning for the long-term future of Rimrose Valley as a vital community asset."

Co-leader of Rimrose Runners and fellow Rimrose Valley Friends Trustee, Sarah Edey added:- "This is fantastic news not only for local running clubs like our own, but the whole community. We will obviously continue to use the rest of Rimrose Valley for our longer trail runs which take in the amazing scenery and nature it has to offer."

John Carragher, who is coordinating the work and a founding member of Marsh Lane Harriers explained:- "As soon as we heard that efforts were being made to restore a sports facility the whole community can use to keep fit, we knew it was something we wanted to be involved in. We're really excited and can't wait to get started."

The news has been warmly welcomed by other local running groups. Dennis Gill, a former coach of Southport Waterloo Athletics Club, who campaigned to keep the original track, is particularly pleased at the announcement. He said:- "When I've been past the track in recent years it's been really sad to see it deteriorate to the extent that you can no longer tell it was there, so it's absolutely fantastic that it's being revived in this way. In its heyday the track was home to hundreds of kids and other athletes, but it was also popular with the local community and there were always runners using it for their own training. It would be great to see that happening again."

For more information on the project contact:- Lindag@RimroseValleyFriends.Org. To enquire about availability for running clubs and events contact:- Sarah@RimroseValleyFriends.Org.