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Merseytravel criticise Network Rail decision for Lime Street
MERSEYTRAVEL
has criticised Network Rail’s decision not to invest further in Lime
Street Station in Liverpool. The decision, announced by Network
Rail’s Chief Executive John Armitt to a committee of MPs, comes as
Merseytravel continues its own £2million programme of investment to
give the station a much-needed interior facelift.
Neil Scales, Chief Executive and Director General of Merseytravel,
said:- “It is disappointing that Network Rail, who own and
operate Lime Street Station, will not be doing any capital works for
the 800 year birthday celebrations or in advance of 2008 European
Capital of Culture Year. They say this is because there is no
business case for investment. We’d be interested to know why that is
because we believe the potential for Lime Street Station could be
fantastic. Even though we do not have direct ownership of the
station we are still prepared to step in and invest in it, and the
Passenger Transport Authority and our Chairman, Councillor Mark
Dowd, have been behind that 100%. Millions of first impressions are
made when people step off of the train at Lime Street. It’s
important we make sure it is the right one. Liverpool and wider
Merseyside is not a cul-de-sac, we are a gateway to the world and it
is vital that Network Rail sits up and takes notice of this region’s
potential.”
The works Merseytravel are currently funding include improvements to
the southern concourse of the station, including new flooring, the
relocation of a glazed screen, new information screens, a relocated
taxi rank, improved pick up/drop off point, extra cycle parking,
extra seating and a new short stay car park with spaces dedicated
for disabled people. The improvements to the south concourse are due
for completion in May 2007.
Councillor Mark Dowd, Chair of Merseytravel, said:- “At the moment
the impression we are giving the millions of people every year isn’t
great, particularly inside the station. The station flooring near to
the trains has remained untouched since before Beatle Mania. Our
investment will help to change that. “
The plans also include resurfacing the south concourse in slip
resistant ceramic tiles. Contrasting coloured flooring tiles will
define the edges and seating areas. The decorative glazed screen,
currently forming a barrier in the south concourse of the station,
will be relocated for better access to the platforms and to the
Skelhorne Street entrance/exit of the station. The entry/exit is
currently the highest used in the station (more than 40% of all
users enter this way). New 20” data display screens will provide
clearer, more defined information for passengers.
The taxi pick up/drop off point for the station will be relocated
from the existing Lord Nelson Street to the Skelhorne Street side of
station. Kerb heights will be also raised to provide level boarding,
making taxis accessible to all users. 7 new dedicated drop off and
pick up points will be created, including an extended point for rear
loading blue badge holder vehicles. The short stay parking area
within the station will be improved and made fully accessible. Once
completed it will include 29 spaces including 4 blue badge spaces.
Cycle parking on the Skelhorne Street side of the station will also
be improved, with the existing 5 cycle stands relocated inside the
station and a further 6 stands built in, with heavy duty stands for
motorcycles.
A Help Point and new seating will be installed along the route from
the pick up/drop off point and short stay car park to the station’s
southern concourse, platforms and facilities. Additional seating
will be installed at the south concourse of the station. A double
height handrail will be provided at the Skelhorne Street station
entrance to aid passengers up the existing slope between Skelhorne
Street and the station entrance. |
STEVEN GERRARD VOTED KIDS’ FAVOURITE FOOTBALLER!
LIVERPOOL and
England midfielder Steven Gerrard has been voted the most popular
footballer in the world by kids across the UK and Ireland.
Thousands of kids aged 6 to 14 voted for the Liverpool star in the
KiCK! Awards, ahead of his closest rivals, Barcelona’s Ronaldinho
and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney.
For the last 2 months, readers of KiCK! magazine have been voting in
the KiCK! Awards poll, voting for a further nine awards alongside
their Player Of The Year. Stevie G walked away with a hat-trick of
honours, adding Goal Of The Year and Footy Match Of The Year to his
trophy haul. Manchester United won the prestigious Team Of The
Year award.
“It’s amazing to be named KiCK!’s Player Of The Year for
2006. I’m proud of the fact the awards
were voted for by the readers. It’s really important because kids
watch the games and they all have an opinion.” said Steven.
On beating Champions League rival Ronaldinho, Steven admitted it was
an honour. “I’m really flattered.
Ronaldinho’s the best player in the world. I can’t wait to play
against him in the Champions League.”
KiCK!’s editor, Ian Pollard, said:- “Steven may have been
Liverpool’s top scorer last season, but I think it was both his
stunning strikes and his never-say-die passion for the game that the
kids loved so much. He’s a great role model and KiCK! readers have
enormous respect for him!”
KiCK! Award winners
Player Of The Year – Steven Gerrard
Team Of The Year – Manchester United
Footy Match Of The Year – FA Cup Final, Liverpool v West Ham
Goal Of The Year – Steven Gerrard, for his last-minute strike in FA
Cup Final v West Ham
Football Boot Of The Year – adidas Predator
Football Kit Of The Year – Chelsea (home)
Sports TV Show Of The Year – Match Of The Day
Computer Game Of The Year – FIFA ‘07
Villain Of The Year – Zinedine Zidane
Blunder Of The Year – Paul Robinson
Full list of results published in KiCK! Issue 10, on sale 12 January
2007.
Readers Photo of the week:- "So who & what did people really
forget..?"
THIS weeks
winner to last
weeks comp. has to be this photo
and statement... For that reason I have posted a Crazy
Cube Party Game to you called Blind Ignorance! "Who On Earth
Are You?" game worth £5.00.
"I left in one
hotel a box of nice chocolates. At the time I had stopped over
in a hotel after flying back from Germany. It was my
girlfriends birthday and valentines day the next day so I had
brought over the box as a fun present. I realised I had
forgot it and had to go back to collect it. You should
have seen the face of the young lass on the reception when she asked
me to describe the box!" David.
This weeks topic...
DIY gone wrong! (Right Said Fred).
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