Residents are Pointing the Way Ahead in Liverpool

A NEW system of signs and information panels designed to help both visitors and Liverpool residents will be unveiled this week.

The scheme known as Connecting Liverpool is seen as a key part of the city's regeneration as it prepares for the influx of visitors up to and beyond 2008, when Liverpool is European Capital of Culture.

The system aims to help visitors and locals alike discover the culture, heritage and diversity of Liverpool's city centre. 

The new scheme will feature hub and interpretation panels, as well as fingerposts throughout the main city area stretching from Leeds Street in the north along Crown Street in the east to Parliament Street in the south.

Its first phase consists of 81 fingerposts and 37 interpretation panels which feature 
a brand new mapping system displaying icon buildings in 3D. The panels have been designed using clear colours to help visually impaired, people.

It is anticipated that some elements of the system will speak in up to eight languages. 
Councillor Mike Storey, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said:- "Connecting Liverpool will help visitors find their way around the city much more easily as it will enrich their experience of the city. Tourism is becoming a vitally important part of the city's future and will get even more important, this scheme will be of enormous benefit in helping visitors around the city in an attractive and imaginative way and will vastly improve Liverpool's image."

It is anticipated that the system will be completely installed by July. The first fingerposts will be unveiled this week.

EMAIL US ALL YOUR VIEWS AND NEWS TODAY

Know Your Staff Warns Hill Dickinson

SOUTHPORT directors risk costly fines if they fail to carry out checks on all prospective employees when new immigration laws come into force from May 1 according to immigration expert Simon Kenny, a solicitor at leading commercial law firm Hill Dickinson.

He says:- "After high profile media reports that assert that it is too easy for illegal immigrants to work in the UK, the Home Office has issued new guidelines which restrict the previous defences used by employers. There may be up to 500 prosecutions per year."

It has been illegal to employ people without correct documentation since 1997, but there have been few convictions to date.

"The new measures may catch many employers unaware," continues Kenny. "For too long some directors may have buried their heads in the sand, but it is hoped that harder hitting legislation will help to encourage employers to be more vigilant."

Kenny recommends that employers take steps to make sure they stay the right side of the law.

Bank Holiday Travel Blues

RAIL engineering work to affect Virgin Trains during May Day Bank Holiday during the May Day Bank Holiday weekend of Saturday 1 to Monday 3 May Virgin Trains West Coast Main Line and Cross Country services will be subject to alteration and coach replacement as Network Rail continues with engineering work to upgrade the routes.

On Saturday 1, Sunday 2 and Monday 3 May trains will be unable to serve Wilmslow and special coach services will link Wilmslow with Macclesfield.

Also, engineering work in the Banbury area will mean that CrossCountry trains will start from and terminate at Banbury and Birmingham International with coach links between the two stations.