Collapsed sewer on Prescot Road, Liverpool

LIVERPOOL motorists are being advised to avoid Prescot Road, Old Swan, for at least the next fortnight, after a large hole in the road was identified as a collapsed sewer.  An extensive investigation has been carried out into the five-metre-deep hole, since it was discovered on Monday, 27 January 2011. It has now been confirmed by United Utilities that the hole in the carriageway, close to the junction of Goschen Street, is the result of a sewer collapse.

United Utilities are now working-up proposals to resolve the issue, as well as carrying out excavation of the carriageway to confirm the full extent of the damage to the sewer, which leads from Goschen Street.

Prescot Road has been reduced to one lane in both directions since the discovery of the hole, to allow the initial investigations to take place. The extent of the excavation now needed means this section of the road will have to be reduced further, to a single lane, possibly over the next few days (date to be confirmed).

Traffic management measures are being put in place to allow United Utilities to complete the works safely, and minimise disruption to the highway network as much as possible.

4 way traffic signals will be introduced at the junction, manually controlled, between 7am and 7pm. This will maintain all movements through the junction, albeit on single phases. Although this will create delays at the junction, the city council considers this the best solution as the manual control will allow traffic and queue levels to be monitored and additional time to be given to certain approaches to the junction, as and when required.

Once the works start, it is estimated that it will take two weeks to repair the road and bring it back fully into use. During this period, there will be disruption, and motorists are being asked to seek alternative routes and to avoid Prescot Road unless absolutely necessary. 

Appropriate signage will be positioned at key points - such as Queens Drive, Edge Lane Drive, West Derby Road, and Sheil Road - to warn of the emergency roadworks and to advise that delays are likely. This will enable motorists to make an informed decision whether to continue along Prescot Road and Green Lane, or to use other routes.

Work continues from United Utilities to discover the amount of damage to the sewer and the extent of work needed. The city council will liaise closely with United Utilities throughout this, and will keep the public up-to-date over any further developments.  Businesses will remain open as usual throughout the works, and the city council will work with the contractor to minimise disruption as much as possible.

Cold shoulder for callers

DOOR to door salespeople are to be banned from an area of Liverpool after residents complained they were plagued by unsolicited callers.   The city’s first No Cold Calling Zone is being set up in 5 roads in Woolton.   It covers 178 homes in Stonyhurst Road, Haileybury Road, Wrekin Close, Roedean Close and Denstone Close. The zone’s main aim is to reduce doorstep crime and distraction burglary and, as such, prevent rogue traders.  However, it will also stop any unwanted cold callers and gives residents the confidence to deter callers who they do not wish to deal with.  Cold callers who persist in the area would face prosecution as they would be seen as carrying out aggressive acts.  "This is an area which has a high proportion of elderly people, a significant number of whom have been victims of rogue traders.  The zone, which is supported by the residents, will be a way of preventing more vulnerable people being preyed upon.  Of course, many of the cold callers are from legitimate businesses but even then householders feel they are being pressurised into buying goods or services they don’t want. And the sheer volume of callers mean that residents feel they are being constantly pestered. They have said ‘enough is enough’ and we are introducing this zone to empower the residents to be able to say 'no' to cold callers and to give them protection and a bit of peace." said Councillor Ann O’Byrne, cabinet member for community safety

The zone is not designed to prevent people from distributing leaflets or catalogues. It is also not designed to stop people on legitimate business such as gas, electricity and water meter readers. The idea came about after trading standards officers, who will enforce the zone, received a number of complaints from householders about the numbers of cold callers. A meeting to explain the principles of the zone was held with representatives from Citysafe Liverpool’s community safety partnership, Merseyside Police, Neighbourhood Management, Riverside Housing and Trading Standards.  Following the meeting, a survey was carried out which showed that about a third of homes received calls at least one a week. More than 80% said that they had received cold calls in the last year from property repairers -such as double glazing, guttering, driveways and roofers- charity collectors and energy companies with 50% receiving at least one call per month.  Nearly 10% they felt they had been victims of cold calling – either through rogue traders or distraction burglary. A further meeting was held at which a secret ballot took place which resulted in a unanimous vote in favour of introducing the zone.  The zone will be clearly marked with notices on lampposts and with stickers on doors.  It is being seen as a pilot scheme and other zones may be established across the city if it is felt there is a need for them.