News reports located on this page = 2.

THIS week witnessed extremely high temperatures, and unsettled weather has been affecting all parts of the UK. Over Merseyside, the skies overnight have repeatedly been lit up by lightning. As the heat wave continued, many used the good weather to take advantage of the:- 'eat out to help out' scheme, as eating establishments took welcomed the increased trade.

This is footage of 1 of the thunder storms that took place over the City Region.

The following photos show Southport packed at people flocked to the Town, as the thermometer's mercury rose.

New motorway slip roads to open "within weeks"

THE Transport Minister Baroness Vere of Norbiton has confirmed to the MP Bill Esterson that the slip roads, which have been built to ease traffic pressure in Maghull and Melling, will open once a temporary legal solution can be found in lieu of Highways England being able to carry out a public consultation. The MP for Sefton Central had written to the Government to urge them to work with Highways England to obtain the necessary sign offs so the roads could open. Baroness Vere wrote:- "I share your constituents' desires for this issue to be resolved as soon as is feasibly possible. Officials at Highways England have informed me that the new slip roads could be open to traffic within the next few weeks, subject to agreement being reached with the Council and the Local Police. I understand that Sefton Council has undertaken work at the Junction, which includes the provision of 2 new slip roads, in line with the Council's aspirations for future growth in the area (which the new slip roads will help achieve). As with any project of this sort, a legal process is undertaken together with construction to enable the new facility to open to traffic. In this case, the legal process allows the slip roads to be incorporated into the trunk road and Jotorway network in England for which Highways England is responsible. Highways England expects the legal process to take a few more months to complete. This is because public consultation cannot be undertaken while civic buildings and libraries are closed to the public, due to the outbreak of COVID-19. However, Highways England is progressing a temporary legal solution with the Council, which involves those two parties reaching agreement with the local Police to allow the slip roads to open within the next few weeks. The Council's works were due to be completed around the period in which the Government implemented a lockdown, with a number of processes and checks needing to be completed before Highways England could take responsibility for the slip roads. The lockdown affected progress, and various remedial works associated with the required Road Safety Audits were not substantially completed until mid-July 2020. As your constituents have indicated, the outstanding minor issues have now been resolved, including a missing section of safety barrier and a blocked drain. Highways England is committed to future work with the Council on this scheme, and I look forward to seeing this new infrastructure helping to deliver economic and other benefits for the area."

Mr Esterson said:- "This will be good news for the people of Maghull and Melling who will benefit hugely from the new slip roads onto the Jotorway, at Junction 1. I hope that the final obstacles are overcome as quickly as possible."