All change at newly named bus station!

IT'S all change at Paradise Street Interchange….  It has been renamed Liverpool ONE Bus Station.  The name change will make it easier for passengers and visitors to link the multi-million pound interchange to the giant leisure and retail centre.  After the launch of the newly named station on Monday 14 September 2009,  Councillor Mark Dowd, Chair of Merseytravel, said:- “Public transport is vital to the ongoing success of Liverpool ONE, the Albert Dock and the Arena so we wanted to do something that made that connection more clearly for the millions of passengers using bus services to the station every year, plus the many thousands of visitors.  Liverpool ONE Bus Station is an important gateway into the city centre.”

More than 150 buses use the interchange every hour, including most services from the south of Liverpool.  It is situated directly next to the anchor John Lewis store and the emerging Hilton Hotel within Liverpool ONE.  New signage, developed in collaboration with Liverpool ONE and the City Council, will soon signpost shoppers to the new station.  Merseytravel and Liverpool ONE have also produced a booklet detailing the changes and giving passengers a range deals in stores and restaurants within the complex.  Councillor Tommy Fearns, Chair of Merseytravel’s Tram and Bus Committee, joined Councillor Dowd and Matt Bell of Liverpool ONE.  He said:- ”Liverpool ONE and the Arena are attracting ever increasing numbers of visitors into the city centre and Liverpool ONE Bus Station gives up to ten million people every year direct access to jobs and leisure and shopping facilities Now the name reflects its position in the heart of the city.”

Chris Bliss, Estates Director, Liverpool ONE, commented:- “The Liverpool ONE bus station has been a key part of the wider Liverpool ONE project right from the very start.  Thus we were always keen to design and build a transport hub worthy of this great city.  As well as being many people’s gateway to the city, the bus station is also a vital connection to both the Echo Arena and Albert Dock.  With its new name we feel it gives a great impression of our city to both commuters and tourists alike.”

Neil Scales, Chief Executive and Director General of Merseytravel, added:- ”We have worked closely with our colleagues in Liverpool ONE and the City Council to ensure we are making the best of the bus station.  We want to ensure it is doing what it can to unlock the potential of public transport to and from this area of the city.”

The leaflet is available at Merseytravel Travel Centres, from Merseytravel Headquarters in Hatton Garden or online at:- www.merseytravel.gov.uk.   Copies are also available from Merseytravel’s Travel Line team via calling:- 0871 200 22 33.

Usdaw calls for TUC to support maximum temperature law

USDAW has called on the TUC to turn up the heat on the debate on workplace temperatures.  Usdaw President, Jeff Broome, spoke to conference in Liverpool, calling on them to support the proposition by the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers' Union.  He brought an amendment, calling on the TUC to embark on a campaign aimed at publicising the need for legislation on a maximum temperature.

A minimum temperature law already exists, but employers are only obligated to keep workplaces to a 'reasonable' temperature, meaning that many employees are forced to work under sweltering conditions that can prove damaging to their health.

John Hannett, Usdaw General Secretary, said:- "We are pleased that the congress has voted to support our call for campaign to bring attention to the need to legislate for a maximum workplace temperature.  Usdaw has been campaigning on this issue for many years, and are pleased that the government is now taking action and reviewing the situation.  Many Usdaw members suffer from high temperatures at work.  I am hopeful that a maximum temperature will be put in place by the end of this year so that, next summer, workers will be able to work comfortably and in the knowledge that they are protected in law.  With rising temperatures being predicted over the coming years, it is even more important that we recognise this as an issue and take action for the good of working people."

Following pressure from Usdaw, the Government has asked the Health and Safety Executive to review the regulations on workplace temperature.  The Union is currently gathering evidence from its members to support the consultation.

MERSEYSIDERS INVITED TO TALK TO RNID ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES OF HEARING LOSS AND HEARING AID SUPPORT

RNID is inviting Merseysiders with hearing loss to take part in 2 pieces of vital research which could help improve support for people who wear hearing aids and families who have deaf or hard of hearing relatives.

The charity, which is working to create a world where deafness or hearing loss don’t limit opportunity, and where people value their hearing, is looking for people who have been fitted with a NHS hearing aid during the last 5 years to take part in a 45 minute 1-to-1 interview about the support they received to help use and maintain their aids properly.

For another piece of research, RNID would like to speak with hearing aids users along with at least one other member of their household.  These interviews will look at how families influence a person’s reaction to their hearing loss and its impact on their lives.

Roger Wicks, RNID’s Director of Research & Policy, says:- “We’re looking forward to speaking with people in Mersey to get an invaluable insight into the impact of hearing loss on families, and also get the views from local hearing aid users about whether they had adequate support to help them adjust to life with a hearing aid.  The interviews will be a great opportunity to highlight issues which can inform us about the ways people react to hearing loss and how best they can be supported.  If you can help, we’d be delighted to speak with you – in complete confidence – in your home or a local location, at a convenient time during the next two months.”

For more information or to take part in the research, contact RNID’s research and policy team on telephone:- 020 7296 8211, textphone:- 020 7296 8001 ext 8211 or email.