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Transport
initiatives support health, wealth and the economy
TRANSPORT schemes that
support economic growth and the ethos of a 'greener' Liverpool City
Region has resulted in a huge take-up of cycling and the equivalent
to much fewer car journeys on the roads, according to a new report.
Progress on the Local Transport Plan 2013/14 has just been
published, outlining the key successes in making it easier for
people to travel around the region. It is developed and delivered by Merseytravel together with the five Merseyside local authorities.
It shows how we're supporting the economy, reducing the impact that
transport has on the environment, and how we're helping to improve
health by encouraging more walking and cycling.
As a result of this work, figures show that:-
► There has been an increase in cycling by 45% since 2006/07.
► A total of £26,531 million was spent on maintaining Merseyside's
transport network in 2014/14, a 6% increase on 2012/13.
► Emission reductions are down by 208,858 tonnes, which is the
equivalent of 43,276 fewer car journeys on the roads.
► A total of 36% of the population on Merseyside engaged in active
travel such as walking and cycling at least once a month compared to
14% in 2009/10.
► According to the most recent survey undertaken by Passenger Focus
in Autumn 2013, 88% of the public were satisfied with public
transport
Merseytravel's Chair, Councillor Liam Robinson, said:- "It's
great to see that the work we're doing is resulting in a low carbon
future, with a transport network and culture that contributes to a
thriving economy and the health and well-being of our communities.
Once again, excellent progress has been made in improving the local
transport network and this report highlights some of our main
achievements in what continues to be financially challenging times.”
A number of important transport programmes are also being delivered
which are vital to transport users, the economy and which protect
the environment, including:-
► The launch of 'My Ticket', a pilot project for young people
aged 15 and under to reduce the cost of travelling by bus by up to
50%.
► In October 2013 the City region was designated a Better Bus Area,
securing £2.7million from the Department for Transport to improve
bus services in some of our most deprived areas.
► Securing £800,000 from the from the DfT's Clean Bus Technology
Fund to reduce pollution levels from 59 local buses.
Other works taking place include the construction of the Mersey
Gateway Crossing, following £270m government funding to Halton
Council; the building of Sefton Council's £19.5m Broom's Cross Road
between Thornton and Switch Island to provide a bypass for the
communities living along the existing route; and the installation of
124 electric car charging points across the City region to support
the reduction of carbon emissions from transport.
This successful delivery has led to more funding including
confirmation from the Treasury that £34m will be invested in
transport in the City region.
Cllr Robinson said:- "We are now entering the final year of
delivery for this Local Transport Plan. Major changes have been made
to the way that transport is funded and governed locally, especially
with the setting up of the new Liverpool City Region Combined
Authority. We will continue to work with our partners to ensure that
transport is at the heart of the future growth of the City region.
To reflect the changes in governance arrangements and to move
forward the transport agenda, a new Liverpool City Region Local
Transport Plan, which will include Halton, will come into effect
from April 2015."
SOUTHPORT ROCKS
CHERE Lloyd, due to headline at
Rock FM's Southport Rocks open air music event at Southport
Pleasureland Arena on Saturday, 19 July 2014, has been pulled from the
line up by her management company.
An administrative error led to a bookings clash with the star being
obliged to honour another agreement. Southport Rocks' promoters are
said to be extremely disappointed after Lloyd's booking had been
signed off and claim they are working on a replacement headliner and
believe they are close to signing the deal, but cannot yet confirm.
In addition to the headline act the event presents a stellar line up
of young, up and coming acts.
Costing just £3 a ticket, the event will run from 5pm to 9pm and
includes other top young musicians:-
Sam Callahan, Janet Devlin, Harry Mondryk, Bailey McConnell, Kitty
Bruknall, Gabz, Jordan O'Keefe, Giles Potter, Mr Zip, New Bounce,
Matt Fitzgerald, Redd, Deedee Loves Me, Tiger Heart, Goodnight
April, Amy-Jo Clough, Justin Fehler, Chris Atkinson, Jack Walton,
Myth of Unity, XOXO with more still to be announced.*
All the artists have performed on either the Xfactor or Britain's
Got Talent over the last few years and have all been featured on
ITV.
The biggest public music event in Southport hosted this year at
Southport Pleasureland's new grassed open air events arena is the
first of many.
Tickets are available at the Southport Pleasureland ticket kiosk,
from:-
rockfm-offers.co.uk/southportrocks/
and on the door.
* All artists subject to availability |
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'Arts Star'
STUDENTS from Range High
School took part in their bi-annual 'Arts Star' competition
recently on 8 June 2014. They entered their 'talents' to gain
points for their House, and finalists were chosen to perform in
public venues such as Formby Festival.
The competition was judged by outside visitors Kevin Grimes, Angela
Mockler, Samantha Heap and former Range student Tom Woods, who has
just completed his second year studying at LIPA (Liverpool Institute
of Performing Arts).
Mrs Grace, Head of Drama at Range
said:- 'We always try to get an ex-pupil who has pursued the
arts in to be one of the judges. Peter Dillon, an ex-student who
went on to study Music Composition at Middlesex University, London
has returned to judge in previous years. It is particularly fitting
to have Tom with us this year as he was one of the finalists in our
first ever Arts Star.”
Tom said:- "I've had a great day. Everyone was so talented - I
hope they keep it up like I did.”
ISLE OF MAN
STEAM PACKET COMPANY HELPS SPREAD A LITTLE LOVE AT THE CURRAGHS
WILDLIFE PARK
WHEN bosses at the Curraghs
Wildlife Park found new partners for 2 lovelorn residents, the Isle
of Man Steam Packet Company was on hand to lend its support. In the
past few weeks the Company has helped transfer a male Red Panda and
a female Brazilian Tapir to the Island, so they could move into
their new home in Ballaugh. The Park already has a pair of Red
Pandas, but the new male Kush, from the Highland Wildlife Park in
Scotland, will mate with the Park's breeding female in the next year
or so. Curraghs Wildlife Park General Manager Kathleen Graham said:-
"The Panda enclosures have never been better to view as there
is so much activity within them. The arrival of Kush has really
livened things up and he is always visible and has been very
active." Young female Tapir Louka, from Cerza Zoo in France,
has joined the Wildlife Park's male Tapir Thackery, who sadly lost
his longstanding companion Clanger last year when she passed away at
a good age. Kathleen added:-
"Both of these animals are arriving as part of the European
Endangered Species Program, which the Wildlife Park contributes to.
In the wild, both Red Pandas and Brazilian Tapirs are vulnerable
species, chiefly due to the loss of their habitats. The intention of
bringing these younger animals here is to increase the chances of
breeding, which given their vulnerable status is extremely
important. I'd like to thank the Steam Packet Company for their
ongoing assistance in helping us organise the transport of these
special passengers."
Steam Packet Company Chief Executive Mark Woodward added:-
"The Wildlife Park is a popular and important attraction in the
Island, and the breeding programmes it supports are vital for
threatened species of animals. We are always pleased to be able to
help support the Park's work, and I look forward to hearing news of
the arrival of some baby Red Pandas and Tapirs." |
