NETWORK Rail the proposed operator to take over the reigns of Arriva travel Merseyrail in the summer, is to spend a further £1.5 million renewing track along the Southport to Liverpool line this month. Work will start on Saturday 22 February, taking nine days and follows on from similar successful engineering work line closures last year.

As part of the ongoing improvements, Network Rail's main contractor Jarvis Rail will be renewing three miles of track, which is up to fifty years old. The line between Southport and Hall Road will be closed to trains while engineers take out jointed track and wooden sleepers and replace them with continuously welded rail held in place by 6267 new concrete sleepers and set in 7,700 tonnes of new ballast.

There are two worksites, one between Ainsdale and Formby, the other in the Hightown area. Residents living nearby have been sent a letter giving details of the work, Jarvis Rail have informed Sefton Council's Environmental Health Officer of the planned work and have agreed actions to reduce the impact on local residents. The track renewal scheme will ensure its life for many years to come and has several benefits for both users and the rail industry - passengers will get a smoother, quieter ride, there will be less wear and tear on Arriva's trains and the new track will be less prone to defects such as broken rails.

Information with thanks to Rail Track. 

Space Zone....

Report by SEDS (Students for the Exploration of Deep Space).

Deepest sympathies to the families of:-

Rick Husband, William McCool, Michael Anderson, Kalpana Chawla, David Brown, Laurel Cark, Ilan Ramon.

ON the 4 February 2003, a memorial ceremony was held at NASA/JSC in
the presence of US President G.W. Bush, representatives of the families of
the Columbia astronauts, many other dignitaries and representatives of the
International Partners. The affects of the disaster are high and deeply felt.

UK SEDS send our deepest sympathies to the families of those lost on board the Columbia. 

Though the Columbia incident was a great tragedy, the seven who died were living their dream, doing what they most wanted to do at the time. We should all be blessed enough to live our last seconds in such a streak of light across the sky, writing our name across history and blazing the trail for those who come after. That may sound cold but look back to other pioneers in all fields who gave their lives that we may advance toward adulthood as a species.

Everyone is in mourning but the majority want the shuttles to
continue without a pause in the time table. The NASA missions in particular, and space flight and exploration in general, MUST continue in memory of those who died in its service and cause. They should not stop because of them in thinking they paid too high a price for it. If we want to serve and remember them best, we need to work toward their continuation.

I would also like to pass on a personal message from the Youth Space Centre in Moscow:-

All my students from the Youth Space Center and I are very sad by the Columbia crash. It is very hard to talk about it and it is very hard to think. Cosmonauts and astronauts are the best of us. There are a lot of people we know personally among them. And though we all understand that their work is connected to danger, we all want them to be alive. I pray for all of them and I join all who sorrow.

Ed, Vice-Chairman UK SEDS.

http://www.uk.seds.org  

COMMUNITY HEALTH COUNCIL – PUBLIC MEETING

SOUTHPORT and Formby Community Health Council represent the public’s interest in local health services.

At their public meeting at 7.15pm on Tuesday 18th February 2003, at 53 Hoghton Street, Southport, the Community Health Council will be hosting a presentation by Lyn Paweleck, Director of Modernisation and Partnerships, Southport & Formby PCT on Stroke Services.

Members of the public welcome to attend.

 For the AGENDA, please click here. 

Job advert:-

PART Time Staff required, for photographic processing shop in Southport, must be of smart appearance, and preferably have sales and retail experience. Full training will be given. Please call in to the shop for an application form. Max Spielmann's, 31 London St, Southport.

Bad weather closed coastal road after 3-vehicle pile up.

NO serious injuries were coursed after a three-car pile up blocked the Pontins to Southport section of the Coastal Road. The light snowfall was thought to be the result of the accident that happened at 8:00am and call placed to the emergency services at 8:07am. The road was reopened at 11.40am. The result was causes getting in and out of Southport as tailbacks backed up to the Formby Bypass and on to Lord Street. The advice for motorist offered from the AA is that in bad weather keep speeds down and leave plenty of time to travel to and from any destination. Expect hold-ups and ice on the road so double braking distances from vehicles in front of you. Clear all windows of your vehicle and check that you have de-icier in your window clear water.

Southport Reporter is Trade Mark of Patrick Trollope.   Copyright © Patrick Trollope 2003.