Liverpool City Region transport network gears up for winter weather

AFTER months of planning, Liverpool City Region's transport network is gearing up to tackle the many challenges that winter can throw at it; and are also urging passengers to play their part by planning ahead.

The Combined Authority and partners have activated their annual winter weather plans and preparations, to help make sure the transport network continues moving smoothly and safely; including:- on Merseyrail, at bus stations and interchanges, on Mersey Ferries and at the Mersey Tunnels.

Everyone from front line staff to transport planners are working hard behind the scenes to ensure the network is as resilient as possible in the event of weather conditions like heavy rain, strong winds, ice, snow and freezing temperatures.

Preparations include making sure grit supplies are topped up and ready to go, checking equipment, updating travel information systems, and ensuring staff are ready to respond quickly to any disruption.

The winter readiness programme involves a comprehensive set of measures to keep people moving safely:-

Merseyrail: Efforts are focused on preventing the build up of ice on the 3rd rail, a common cause of winter disruption. This includes running empty:- "ghost trains" overnight and early in the mornings to clear the rails, the application of anti icing agents, and the readiness of rolling stock to operate in the cold.
Buses and Bus Stations... Bus operators and maintenance teams are preparing their fleets for the cold, while Merseytravel hubs staff are ensuring bus stations and interchanges remain safe and operational, with gritting and snow clearance plans in place.
Mersey Tunnels... The Mersey Tunnels Police and Tunnels operations staff are at the forefront of keeping the Kingsway and Queensway Tunnels moving safely 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Their preparations include equipment and vehicle checks, gritting the highway and putting in place emergency response procedures for adverse weather.
Mersey Ferries... The Ferries team will monitor river conditions and weather forecasts closely, with contingency plans for any necessary service changes due to high winds or poor conditions on the River Mersey.

Councillor Steve Foulkes, Chair of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Transport Committee said:- "As we move into the colder months of the year, our frontline public transport colleagues are hard at work to keep the network moving. We want to thank our staff working on the trains, tunnels, Mersey Tunnel Police, buses, ferries, travel centres, ticket offices and our customer contact centre, for helping keep the city Region moving over this period and enabling the public to travel safely to enjoy meeting family and friends. Whether travelling for work, leisure, shopping or simply to visit relatives, we would urge passengers to make sure they plan their journeys in advance as there will be changes to services across the city Region at this time."

#WeatherWise: essential travel advice, whatever winter throws at the transport network

To help ensure smooth journeys, passengers are urged to follow this advice:-

Plan Ahead... Whether you are heading out for leisure, commuting to work or travelling to visit friends and family, key information and advice is now available to help you plan your journeys. We expect some services to be busier than usual.
Check Timetables... Make sure to check timetables ahead of and on your day of travel in case there are any changes; in particular check last bus and train times. Merseytravel and operators will use their websites and social media to publish changes made at short notice.
Consider Your Options and Leave Extra Time... There will be changes to services, so services may be busier than expected. Think about staggering your travel times, leave extra time for your journey and have a plan B in case you can't get the service you planned for.
Buy Tickets in Advance and Online... If possible, buying travel tickets in advance and online will speed up your journey and help you avoid queues on the day.
Consider Multimodal Tickets... Tickets that can be used over different modes of transport, such as Saveaways, will give you more options for your journey.
Be Kind to Staff.. Please be kind and respectful to transport staff. Remember they are working really hard to get you to where you need to be.

For the latest travel information, passengers should regularly check the Merseytravel website or get in touch with the Customer Contact Centre on:- 03001312881, on X by messaging @Merseytravel or via email at:- Ask@LiverpoolCityRegion-CA.Gov.UK.

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority launches 3rd round of group buying scheme for solar panels

MANY more homes across the Liverpool City Region are set to be fitted with energy saving solar panels and battery storage and electric vehicle (EV) charging points with the fourth round of a successful money-saving, group buying scheme.

So far 1,053 households have benefitted from the 1st 3 rounds of the Solar Together scheme, which saw 10,376 solar panels fitted and 752 tonnes of carbon emissions reductions in their 1st year of use.

Installation of a typical 14 panel solar array was more than a third cheaper than the typical market price during the third round of the Solar Together programme in the city Region.

Solar Together helps homeowners feel confident that they are paying the right price for a high quality installation from qualified installers.

Liverpool City Region residents have until 7 November to express an interest in joining the group buying scheme, which offers solar panels with optional battery storage and EV charge points, as well as retrofit battery storage for residents who have already invested in solar panels and are looking to get more from the renewable energy they generate. The scheme allows homeowners to increase their independence from the national grid.

It's free to register here, and there is no obligation to go ahead with an installation. Local Councils in the Liverpool City Region are working in partnership with iChoosr, experts in sustainable energy transition, to make the transition to clean energy as cost-effective and hassle-free as possible.

Cllr Graham Morgan, Liverpool City Region Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, said:- "This scheme has proven its worth by cutting bills and emissions and its success shows that people are prepared to do their bit for the environment when given the opportunity. Taking on a project like solar panels can sometimes feel complicated and finding a trustworthy contractor might feel daunting to some residents. Solar Together helps to address those concerns and give residents a simpler way to make the leap."

Cllr Anthony Burns, Liverpool City Region Cabinet Member for Net Zero, said:- "We've invested heavily in making homes more energy efficient, but reaching net zero by 2035 means we must halve our city Region's energy use in the next decade. Solar energy can play a vital role in this transition. Every home and business that generates its own power brings us 1 step closer to achieving our target."

How does it work?

Householders can register online to become part of the group for free and without obligation.
Approved UK solar PV suppliers participate in a reverse auction. They are able to offer competitive pricing as the volume and geographic concentration makes it possible for them to realise greater efficiencies, which they pass on with lower prices for installations.
After the auction, registered households will be emailed a personal recommendation which is specific to the details they submitted in their registration.
If they choose to accept their recommendation, the specifics of their installation will be confirmed with a technical survey after which a date can be set for the installation of their solar PV system.
Telephone and email helpdesks are on hand throughout the whole process which, together with information sessions, will allow households to make an informed decision in a safe and hassle free environment.

Marie-Louise Abretti, Solar Together UK Business Manager, added:- "We know that residents of the Liverpool City Region are looking for opportunities to reduce their carbon emissions, save on energy bills, and increase their independence from the grid. The Solar Together group buying scheme offers a straightforward way to make an informed decision and to access a competitive offer from a trusted, vetted provider."

iChoosr has been collaborating with UK Councils since 2015 on its Solar Together scheme, aiming to accelerate the energy transition nationwide. The initiative aims to encourage residents to partake in the collective purchase of solar PV and battery storage systems. To date, Solar Together has installed 10,376 solar panels in Liverpool City Region, which will/have reduced 752 tonnes of carbon emissions in their 1st year of use.

iChoosr's schemes have been delivered in partnership with local authorities in 5 countries. More than 180 schemes have led to 178,000 residents installing solar PV systems.

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Liverpool City Region transport network gears up for winter weather

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority launches 3rd round of group buying scheme for solar panels