Sefton Council Gritting Team is on Standby

AS the days continue to get shorter and the temperatures drop, Sefton Council has once again completed all necessary preparations for winter.

Each year, at the start of the season, Sefton Council ensures it has a substantial stock of grit salt ready. Sefton Council currently has:- 3,500,00 Kg (3,500 metric tonnes) of grit salt stocked at its award winning:- 'Winter Hub' in Netherton. This is enough grit for up to 100 full grit runs, depending, of course, on the severity of the weather conditions.

Throughout October and into November, Sefton Council has received regular deliveries to restock its:- 'Winter Hub,' with each delivery truck bringing approximately 30,000 Kg (30 metric tonnes) at a time.

Sefton Council Gritting Fleet has 10 gritters, that carry 18,000 Kg (18 metric tonne) and all are fully serviced, tested, and are ready to tackle the conditions.

Road Coverage:- Sefton Council is prepared to treat 292.04 miles (470km) of the Borough's busiest roads and footways. To put this in perspective, that is roughly the distance from Bootle all the way to Inverness!

Key Routes... This extensive coverage is in line with national guidelines and includes:- all main arterial routes, bus routes, and key roads leading to hospitals.

Footways... Footway gritting will also be carried out in key town centres to ensure pedestrian safety.

Did you know that Sefton Council's gritting fleet was deployed 57 times over the previous winter season (2024/2025) and spread:- 1,750,000 Kg (2,750 metric tonnes) of salt?  The distance its fleet covered was a massive:- 16,646.53 miles (26,790km) of roads... That distance is equivalent to driving to Australia and back!

Remember if driving and you have a gritter on the road in front, keep a safe distance behind the gritter, minimize exposure to spray, wait for a clear and safe opportunity, then overtake promptly and legally (within speed limits) without lane hogging, using the appropriate lane and, on multi lane roads, consider a second car to act as a shield where appropriate.  Remember once you overtake, keep speeds down as you might find driving conditions an issue, with ice or snow on the road surface.

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From construction to curiosity - Woodside project gives back with Eureka! visits for Schools

THE opportunity to explore science outside the classroom became a reality for 70 pupils from Kingsway Primary School in Wirral, as they got the chance to visit Eureka! Science + Discovery, in Seacombe.

Interactive exhibits focusing on how the human body works, the wonders of nature and exploring behind the walls, floors and ceiling of our homes were big highlights, along with a show all about robots!

Delivered under the Combined Authority's Social Value Framework, which ensures contractors create benefits for local residents and communities that go beyond the construction site, Warbreck Integrated Services has joined forces with Eureka! for an educational outreach programme that will see 15 Schools from across the Region visit the museum.

Warbreck, the main contractor delivering the Woodside Ferry Terminal refurbishment, is funding the cost of the visits, ensuring young learners can dive headfirst into the Seacombe based attraction's entertaining and informative exhibits.

It's hoped the hands-on learning will help foster an early interest in:- Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) subjects for the City's next generation; and might just inspire some future engineers to go on to work on other major infrastructure schemes in our Region.

Cllr Marion Atkinson, portfolio holder for Education and Skills at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority said:- "This is a fantastic example of the benefits of our social value framework, ensuring that contractors working on our projects give something back to the community. Children from across the City Region will benefit hugely from these visits to Eureka!, where they will learn about a wide range of subjects in a fun and interactive environment. Hopefully, we'll inspire some future engineers who will go on to work on our major schemes in the future, where they can continue the cycle of giving something back to the community."

The Woodside Ferry Terminal is currently undergoing a major £9m plus refurbishment as part of the 20 year Mersey Ferries strategy and Wirral Council's:- ‘Masterplan' for the regeneration of the Woodside area.

Another major Mersey Ferries investment milestone was reached just last week when the Royal Daffodil, the 1st new Mersey Ferry in 60 years, took to the water for the 1st time.

Tom Williams, Managing Director of Warbreck Integrated Services Ltd, said:- "We are incredibly proud to stand behind and support Eureka! Science + Discovery, and it's educational outreach programme, as part of the Woodside Ferry Terminal refurbishment. This opportunity allows us to support the local community and the next generation in a meaningful way. STEAM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths) are fundamental to the economic growth and future prosperity of the Liverpool and Wirral Regions, and we hope these visits are enjoyable and inspire young people to learn more about this."

Mr Greenwood, Year 4 Teacher at Kingsway Primary School, said:- "Our visit to Eureka! Science + Discovery was a fantastic experience. We are incredibly grateful to be able to take many children, who would not usually be able to attend such a venue, for a learning opportunity outside of the School. Their happy faces and memories will live longer than the day itself, and we hope for another opportunity like this in the future."

Leigh-Anne Stradeski, Chief Executive for Eureka! Science + Discovery and Eureka! the National Children's Museum, said:- "We're delighted to welcome children from across the Liverpool City Region to Eureka! Science + Discovery thanks to the generous support from Warbreck, working with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. This partnership is a brilliant example of how major infrastructure projects can deliver real social value; helping to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators right here in our Region. There are many more School children across the City Region who would benefit from the extraordinary Eureka! experience, deepening their understanding of STEM whilst having fun. Unfortunately, not all Schools are able to cover the costs associated with a visit. The support from Warbreck serves as an example of how businesses in any sector are able to have a profound impact by enabling School children to have a meaningful and fun-filled day out. We would love to explore options for funded visits with organisations that share our passion for making a difference in children's lives."