Why did the BOPA’s Annual World Peace Festival in Coventry invited Miss Liverpool City Region Charlotte Grant to be a special guest?
Photos by:- Irfan Tahir WNTV.

• Mary Jennings –  (22) a Trainee Firefighter and Emergency Responder from Lincolnshire who volunteered to do a speech at the Peace Garden event which unveiled a Peace Pole.
• Charlotte Yeung a PhD student who reached the top 2 in the recent ITV Game the Genius Game, from London.
• Afton McKeith – Actress, singer  & movement coach &  Daughter of TV nutritionist Gillian McKeith, from London.
• Maleha Khan (25)  Rocket Scientist & Pilot.
• ​Grace Richardson – (20)  Theatre student from Leicester.
• Sharandeep (21) a law student from Coventry.
• ​Himani Patel (24) Law Student from Kent.
• Aliza Kanerawala (19) University Film Student.
• Amy Joyce  Student Vetinary medicine & Millie Suiter (20) Acting Student who works in a Dementia Care home.

Frustration Builds Over Speed Limits on Formby Bypass (A565)

MOTORISTS using the A565 Formby Bypass are expressing growing anger over a baffling 30mph speed restriction that appears to make little sense to southbound drivers; prompting questions about safety, clarity, and the long term impact of a controversial housing project near RAF Woodvale.

The disruption began on:- 19 May 2025, when roadworks kicked off as part of construction linked to the new development. Since then, drivers heading towards both Southport and Liverpool have reported inconsistent speed restrictions and growing gridlock.

But what’s really sparked outrage? While works are only being carried out on the northbound carriageway, both directions are locked into a 30mph limit with no clear explanation on signage for those travelling South. Northbound traffic, meanwhile, still sees the usual 50mph signs immediately after the work zone.

“This is ridiculous,” a commuter has told us, adding:- "We're all crawling along and no one knows why. If you can go faster on the Northbound side after the enterance to RAF Woodvale, why is it all the way 30 on the Southbound side?"

Residents and motorists are also now asking:- "Will these disruptions become permanent?" and "Will the new housing compromise safety long term for:- drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians in the long run?"

In response, Sefton Council issued a statement defending the restriction as a temporary, safety-focused measure:- "The temporary 30mph speed limit on Formby Bypass and speed monitoring actions are being put in place for safety. This action is being taken whilst the works are only on Northbound carriageway. The footway and cycle lane on the Northbound side are temporarily closed, and pedestrians and cyclists need to cross both carriageways to use the Southbound footway. The 30mph limit applies to the North and Southbound cthearriageways to keep pedestrians and cyclists safe while crossing. The temporary 30mph speed limit is due to be lifted when work completes on:- 4 August 2025."

Still, some argue the logic doesn't hold up. Why not install temporary crossing lights or clearer signage instead of slowing thousands of vehicles unnecessarily?

With frustration mounting and confidence in planning decisions already shaken by objections to the development itself, this stretch of road is now becoming a battleground between practicality and safety.

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