The MP for Southport Patrick Hurley MP is calling urgent changes to protect lives on our roads

ON 23 May 2025, Patrick Hurley, who is Southport's Labour MP has joined David Baines, who is the Labour Member of Parliament for St Helens North, along with other MPs in writing to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander to demand urgent changes to protect lives on our roads.

This campaign follows the tragic deaths of:- Marie Cunningham, 79, and Grace Foulds, 85; 2 beloved women whose lives were cut short on:- Lulworth Road in Birkdale, Southport. They were struck by a driver who had been warned nine times by medical professionals that his visual impairment made him unfit to drive.

Patrick Hurley said:- "Yet, due to a dangerous gap in the law, he was under no legal obligation to report his condition to the DVLA and he continued driving. 1st and foremost, I want to pay tribute to Susan Rimaitis, Marie's daughter, who has shown extraordinary courage in the wake of such unimaginable loss. Susan's tireless advocacy has brought national attention to this critical issue, and her campaign to require medical professionals to report unsafe drivers to the DVLA is both urgent and essential. This is not just about 1 case. The current system is fundamentally flawed. It depends on drivers voluntarily disclosing medical conditions that may impair their ability to drive safely; a system that is clearly not working."

He went on to say that:- "This loophole is costing lives. We need Mandatory reporting by medical professionals to DVLA, Better information sharing with Police databases, and Stronger enforcement mechanisms! We owe it to Marie, Grace, and every family affected by preventable road deaths to act decisively and without delay."

Liverpool Plant Grower Celebrates Blooming Partnership with Aldi

A family owned bedding plant producer in Liverpool is celebrating its growing partnership with Aldi ahead of what is set to be a busy summer season.

Ivan Ambrose & Co, based near Sefton, will supply nearly 3 million packs of bedding plants to the UK's 4th largest supermarket this year, as well as four new seasonal lines including:- sweet williams, dianthus, Spring and Autumn 6 pack.

Amongst the most popular lines for 2025 are:- geraniums, pansies, violas, and sweet williams, which will be available for shoppers to buy in Aldi stores across the UK from prices as low as:- £1.89.

Ivan Ambrose & Co, which is headed up by husband and wife:- Ian and Marie Lavelle, and their daughter Corina, has partnered with Aldi since:- 2021, to supply high quality, affordable bedding plants to customers.

The partnership has helped the family owned business to continue investing in sustainable technologies such as:- solar panels and electric vehicles, as well as a crop irrigation system that uses recycled rainwater.

Corina Lavelle, Sales Director at Ivan Ambrose & Co, said:- "It's incredible to see how much our partnership with Aldi has grown over the past 4 years. We started out supplying a one off order of pansies and violas and this year we're planning to produce almost 3 million packs of bedding plants for Aldi shoppers; the most we've ever supplied."

Julie Ashfield, Chief Commercial Officer at Aldi UK, said:- "We're incredibly proud to work with family-owned businesses like Ivan Ambrose & Co. At Aldi, we're committed to nurturing these relationships and investing in them for the long term; because strong partnerships with British suppliers are at the heart of our success. I'm really excited to see the new plants land in stores this year, and I'm sure shoppers will be quick to add these to their baskets for an extra touch of colour in the garden this summer."

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