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Dedicated Fast Tag lane
trial for larger vehicles starts for Mersey Tunnels
MERSEY Tunnel users are advised that the use of a
dedicated Fast Tag lane for class 2, 3 and 4 vehicles, which includes:- buses,
lorries and wagons, will be trialled at the Kingsway (Wallasey) Tunnel, from
Monday, 3 October 2016.
The trial will take place during the day time with both an overhead and lane
sign at the toll plaza directing drivers to the appropriate booth, which will be
situated on the far left hand side. Exact times will be determined by traffic
conditions.
During the trial, class 2, 3 and 4 Fast Tag users will still be able to use an
attended lane as well as the designated class 2, 3 and 4 Fast Tag lane.
This trial follows feedback following the successful trials of Fast Tag lanes
for cars which were introduced in February and June 2015.
Gary Evans, Merseytravel's Head of Customer Delivery, said:- "The trial is
open ended as we want to monitor the lane's effectiveness on traffic flow
through the toll plaza and monitor traffic conditions once this lane is
introduced. We expect things to be a little busier initially as our customer
adapt to the change, but we are convinced this will improve journey times for
all of our customers. The Fast Tag lanes have proved successful to date with 75%
greater throughput than adjacent cash toll lanes and we are always looking for
ways to improve this service for our customers."
Fast Tag is the cheapest most convenient method of payment with savings of
almost 30% on cash payment as well as saving users from having to keep the
correct change on them.
Customers can pay by direct debit and top up online and there are a number of
ways of applying for a Fast Tag:-
► Visit
MerseyTunnels.Co.UK and select:-
'Apply for a New Fast Tag Account.'
► Call:- 0151 330 1702 to request a paper application form.
► Visit a Merseytravel Centre.
An online account management system allows you to set warnings when your balance
is low and view full itemised history of your journeys. If you run a business,
you can even link a number of Fast Tags, to 1 account.
Woodvale One Stop Store Robbery
MERSEYSIDE Police Detectives are investigating a robbery
that took place at the One Stop Store, on Liverpool Road, Woodvale (Southport),
on Saturday, 24 September 2016, at approximately 9.40pm. We are told by
Merseyside Police that:- "a man, who is believed to have been armed with a
knife, entered the One Stop Store on Liverpool Road and stole a quantity of
cigarettes and alcohol. The man left the shop on foot and turned South, into
Liverpool Road." Merseyside Police say that he is described as a white
male, aged 28 to 30 years of age. He is said to be 6ft tall, of heavy build with
a shaved head. He was reported to be wearing a grey hooded top, which had black
on the inside, black tracksuit pants and grey trainers. We are told that
nobody was injured during the incident, but members of staff were left shaken by
their ordeal.
Detective Inspector Mike Dalton said:-
"Thankfully nobody was injured during this incident, but the staff were left
very shaken. An investigation is ongoing and I would urge anyone who saw a man
fitting the description hanging around the shop before the robbery, or running
away from the scene to contact us. Any information you have could prove vital in
bringing this person to justice. Anyone with any information is
asked to contact Merseyside Police, on:- 0151 777 3046 or the Crimestoppers
line, anonymously, on:- 0800 555 111." |
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"Yes we can" says
local charity in response to Will Pike campaign
DISABLED people's charity Revitalise,
which runs the Sandpipers respite holiday centre in Southport, is throwing its
weight behind Will Pike's campaign to make society a better place for disabled
people, as featured on UK TV show:- 'Good Morning Britain', since it clearly echoes the
charity's own research.
Revitalise has conducted independent research into the lack of high street
accessibility for disabled people, as well as the shortcomings of non-disabled
people's attitudes to accessibility, which entirely supports Will Pike's
campaign and highlights the need for urgent change.
A recent Revitalise study of disabled people's experiences of the high street
found that 84% of disabled people and carers had experienced problems with the
accessibility of major high street stores and 55% had been subjected to negative
or unwelcoming treatment from shop staff.
The charity also found that 74% of the high street's leading brands had
absolutely no in store accessibility info on their websites, causing Revitalise
to conclude that high streets stores may be content to drag their feet when it
comes to making accessible adaptations to their stores, as long as disabled
people continue to shop with them online.
To further support Will Pike's campaign, Revitalise has just released the
findings of a study of non disabled people's attitudes to accessibility, which
found that 57% of non disabled people use disabled toilets and are showing no
signs of stopping, with 17% saying they had "done it loads of times and
really don't see any harm in it". The study also found that 12%
non disabled people use disabled parking spaces either sometimes or habitually.
In the light of its own research, Revitalise is adding its voice to Will Pike's
call for change and urging all leading high street retailers to pay more
attention to accessibility in their stores and the information they provide
online; in order to give disabled people and carers the same choice between
in store and online shopping as everyone else.
Just as importantly, the charity is urging non disabled people to take on board
the philosophy of Team GB in the recent Olympic and Paralympic Games, whose
success is based on many small improvements adding up to one seismic change. If
non-disabled individuals can simply make one or more small adjustment to their
own attitudes and habits, Revitalise believes, they will be helping to create a
more inclusive and equitable society for disabled people.
Revitalise Chief Executive Chris Simmonds commented:- "Disabled people
have every right to choose where and how they shop. It is plain wrong that the
simple pleasure of a trip to the high street is being denied them. High street
retailers need to polish up their act and stop marginalising disabled shoppers!
We've just witnessed the Paralympic Games and the words 'Yes I can' are still
echoing in our minds. But when it comes to making society more open and
accessible for disabled people, those with the power to enforce change seem to
have made very little progress. Disabled people face a huge number of barriers,
both physical and it seems, in the attitude of non disabled people to them. So
we're calling for a sea change in the way we treat disabled people in the UK. If
non disabled people can just make one or more small adjustment to their attitude
towards disability, then we will be going a long way towards creating a better,
more respectful world for disabled people and truly keeping the Paralympics
legacy alive!"
Revitalise is a national charity providing respite holidays for disabled people
and carers. Revitalise provides short breaks, with 24 hour nurse led care
on call and personal support, at Sandpipers and 2 other accessible centres in
Chigwell and Southampton. Each centre offers a wide range of accessible
activities and excursions in a holiday environment. |
