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Highways encourages drivers to think
DRIVERS across the UK are being encouraged to THINK! when driving over the coming festive period at a local and on a national
level.
The Highways Agency and the Police are pursuing a new tactic to get drivers and passengers home safely. This year, messages are being displayed on electronic messaging signs operated by the Highways Agency, as part of the Department for Transport's THINK! Don't Drink and Drive and THINK! Make Time for a Break campaigns.
Drink driving messages are being displayed on the country's motorways on December 30 and New Year's Eve.
Meanwhile, the advice to 'take a break' is on the signs between the period 23 December to Boxing Day, when many people are driving long distances to visit relatives. It will also appear on the signs from New Year's Day until 3 January 2005.
Ginny Clarke, chief highway engineer said:- "The Highways Agency's part in this important campaign is in support of its ongoing commitment to improve road safety.
Our advice to travelers over the festive period is to be prepared, check road conditions and the weather forecast before and during your journey. Stop for a break at least every two hours if you are travelling long distance.
Our motorways are among the safest in Europe and with the help of drivers we want to make them even safer."
It does not stop at that. Liverpool landlords are also joining in the campaign to combat drink driving. Liverpool City Council and Liverpool Primary Care Trusts are giving every pub in the city a pack containing anti- drink drive posters and designated driver promotion material.
The campaign warning to drivers is that
"It takes less than you think for your driving to be impaired by alcohol" and
"You can't calculate your own drink/drive limit and the only safe way is not to drink and
drive". Nationally 560 people were killed in drink drive related accidents in 2003 and 2,600 were seriously injured.
Councillor Peter Millea, Executive Member for Regeneration, said:-
"By assisting us to get this important message over to their customers, landlords will ensure everyone will have a safe and merry Christmas.
And we would also remind drivers that drinking excessively at night could well mean that they are still over the limit in the morning."
Over the festive period, landlords are being asked to:-
· Promote the 'Designated Driver ( DES )' campaign ;
· Display Don't Drink/Drug Drive' posters in a prominent position in the pub;
· Proactively provide non-alcoholic drinks, particularly for drivers;
· Train staff to promote responsible drinking.
Keep the festive season festive!
Please get home safe.... THINK this Christmas and New Year! Remember also that a hard night at the pub will mean your alcohol levels are still high in the morning. So please don't drive. Keep yourself safe and others.
Biggest Christmas getaway yet for Liverpool John Lennon Airport
SCHOOL
holidays and the festive holiday offers have once again, brought Liverpool Airport more trade trade then ever with 80,000 passengers are expected to pass through Liverpool John Lennon Airport over the festive season. This is a 12% increase compared to last year's then record of just over 70,000 passengers.
Robin Tudor, Corporate Affairs Manager for Liverpool John Lennon Airport commented:-
"This is always one of our busiest periods of the year and it looks as though with the additional flights from the Airport, we'll be busier than ever. The rapidly expanding range of low cost flights now means that many passengers can afford to fly and visit friends and relatives over Christmas who live further afield, compared to previously, in addition to those jetting off on seasonal holidays."
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Liverpool Council scores
highly
AN AUDIT conducted over the last year by an independent government watchdog has praised Liverpool City Council for it's improvement in services. The audit, called the
"Comprehensive Performance Assessment" has, for the second successive year, ranked Liverpool as
"good" and says performance trends are "generally
positive".
The city council has once again received top marks for its education service after a record 45% of pupils gained five or more A*-C grades in 2004. They are up from 41% the previous year. There has been an increase of over 14% in the number of pupils gaining top grades since the service was on the brink of privatisation in 1999.
The city council has also received the maximum score for its use of resources, due to improved financial management which has included cutting through red tape and using technology to improve services.
Improvements in the libraries service, which have achieved Beacon status and saw a 25% increase in the number of visits in the last year, have also been given the thumbs up.
Council leader, Mike Storey said:- "This report shows that we are now consistently improving services and are on course to make the city council one of the best in the country.
I am particularly pleased that the CPA has recognised that the transformation of the education service has been sustained, and that we are making the most of our resources by giving value for money to council tax payers.
The City Council is also providing strong civic leadership to drive forward key projects which are transforming Liverpool's fortunes, such as Capital of Culture, the £800 million Grosvenor redevelopment of the city centre, the new arena and conference centre at Kings Dock, the Cruise Liner facility at the Pier Head and the new stadium for Liverpool FC which will regenerate Anfield."
Liverpool city council Chief Executive Sir David Henshaw added:-
"We are on track with the transformation of services and I am delighted with the improvements that all city council staff are working hard to deliver.
However, there is no room for complacency and we already have put into place plans to improve the areas where we are still underperforming, such as housing and social care. I am pleased that the CPA report recognises that we are well placed to continue improving as a result of the changes."
The CPA report highlights the "exciting developments" taking place at the moment which will transform Liverpool such as the Grosvenor redevelopment of the city centre, Capital of Culture and housing market renewal.
It praises the city council for seeking "innovative solutions to problems"
and describes political and managerial leadership as "strong"
and having "clarity" about the areas for improvement.
The report says there are a number of underperforming areas such as housing, recycling, supporting people and social care, but notes that
"investments in services are now beginning to show improved
outcomes".
The Commission for Social Care recently gave social services promising prospects for improvement because of the proposals the City Council is pushing through to modernise the service.
The CPA provides clear and concise information about the performance of each authority, and ranks the council's performance from 1 (worst) to 4 (best) for seven individual 'core' services.
It also compares it against the last inspection in December 2003.
Liverpool's scores are:-
Education:- Received the highest possible score of 4 for the second year running with educational attainment continuing to improve year on year.
Social care:- Remained at 2, although older people's services have now improved and have promising prospects for improvement.
Benefits:- Remained at 3, although we have improved performance against the national standards following the installation of a £5 million computer system which is helping process claims quicker.
Environment:- Moved from 3 to 2, partly because the city council failed to reach its target for recycling 7% of waste. However the council has since rolled out a multi materials recycling service, increased the number of recycling drop off points - known as Bring Banks - to 160 and is on course to further improve recycling rates next year.
Housing:- Remained at 2, although the inspectors acknowledged that the repairs service had improved and has promising prospects for improvement.
Libraries and Leisure:- Improved and moved from 2 to 3 as a result of new and refurbished library buildings, more free internet access extended openings hours at weekends and a greater range of new books available.
Use of Resources:- Improved and moved from 3 to the highest possible score of 4 for improved financial management.
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