Merseyside fell silent for 97 Hillsborough Victims as calls for 'Hillsborough Law Now' gets louder

ON 15 April 2026, the Liverpool City Region remembered the 97 people who lost their lives as a result of the Hillsborough tragedy, exactly 37 years ago. Love and solidarity continue to be shared with their families, the survivors, and all those impacted by the disaster.

Marking the day the Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance CIC (HSA) said:- "Today we remember the 97 men, women and children unlawfully killed at Hillsborough, thinking of their families as always, never forgotten. Our thoughts are also with fellow survivors, we know this is a difficult day for us all, reach out if you need to chat Unity is strength."

At 15:06, a 1 minute silence was be observed to honour the 97 victims all over the Liverpool City Region. Across the Regions transport network, operations paused in a unified tribute includes:-

As the public honoured those lost, campaigners are intensifying demands for the immediate introduction of the Hillsborough Law. Decades of institutional defensiveness forced bereaved families to fight a relentless battle for the truth, highlighting a deeply flawed system.

The proposed legislation, officially the Public Authority (Accountability) Bill, is urgently needed to prevent future state cover ups. It would achieve this by:-

Introducing a strict, legally enforceable duty of candour for all public authorities and officials.
Compelling institutions to tell the truth at public inquiries and court proceedings, attaching criminal sanctions for those who mislead or withhold documents.
Providing bereaved families with publicly funded legal representation, ensuring a level playing field against state funded public bodies.

Following a series of recent national scandals that have repeatedly exposed systemic failures to be open and transparent, advocates argue that enacting the Hillsborough Law now is the only way to fundamentally change the culture of public life and prevent other families from enduring similar struggles for justice.

Campaigner Charl Hennessey, who's Father was unlawfully killed in the Hillsborough Disaster and a member of the campaign group Hillsborough Law Now has recently said:- "ALL of those failings happened under a Conservative Government. Under Liz Truss and Boris Johnson! Rishi Sunak's Labour Government has also rejected the implementation of a Public Office Accountability Bill, aka:-'Hillsborough Law.' He said a new law was not necessary and that existing duties of candour already covered the necessary requirements! His Government said it was:- 'not aware of any gaps in legislation.' Instead of the law, his Government introduced the:- 'Hillsborough Charter,' which aims to improve the treatment of bereaved families by public bodies, requiring them to sign a pledge to put the public interest above their own reputations.. And yet, HERE, WE ARE watching updates on inquiries into how CHILDREN being stabbed to death in SOUTHPORT. Stabbed to death in Nottingham. Stabbed to death in School. Their parents traumatised and suffering the most unimaginable grief whilst they continue to dig deep and be their loved ones voices. Those responsible? Well, they get to say:- 'it wasn't our fault, it was theirs.' How many of these professionals will be, or have been, charged with gross misconduct in public office? The answer is NONE. Enough is enough."

The campaign group Hillsborough Law Now have 1 shared belief, that:- "People shouldn't have to fight for justice, justice should fight for people." They are increasingly frustrated that the new law is still not in place.

Anyone needing support or want to help the campaign, please reach out to the to them at:- HillsboroughLawNow.Org.

How will you be remembering the 97 today? Are you doing anything special to mark the time at:- 15:06? Let us know and share your tributes.

For more information about the UK Government's moves to introduced the:- Public Office (Accountability) Bill, known as the:- Hillsborough Law, into Parliament, please go to:- Gov.UK.

Council awards design contract to progress Vauxhall / Greatie active travel improvements

LIVERPOOL City Council has approved the award of a contract for preliminary design work to support major active travel improvements across the Vauxhall and Greatie corridors.

Following a competitive mini competition through the Council's Highways and Transportation Professional Services Framework, Cabinet has agreed to appoint a design consultant to undertake the next phase of work on the Transport for the City Regions TCR) Vauxhall / Greatie programme.

The contract will run for 48 weeks and will enable the development of detailed proposals to improve:- walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport infrastructure across several wards in North Liverpool.

The Vauxhall / Greatie programme will deliver a comprehensive package of transport and public realm improvements, including:-

New segregated cycle facilities.
Safer, more accessible junctions.
Improved and additional pedestrian crossings.
Removal of pedestrian subways at:- St Anne Street / Juvenal Street and St Anne Street / Mansfield Street.
Upgraded bus stops.
Highway and carriageway maintenance improvements.
Placemaking and wayfinding enhancements.

The programme will support improved accessibility, safety and sustainable travel across:- Brownlow Hill, City Centre North, Everton West, Kirkdale East, Kirkdale West, and Vauxhall wards.

The work forms part of the wider Transport for the City Regions programme, which is supported by long‑term Government investment in local transport.

In June 2025, �1.5bn of funding was confirmed for the Liverpool City Region for the period:- 2027 to 2028 to 2031 to 2032. The concept and preliminary design phase will be funded through �2.401m of TCR pre development funding accepted by Liverpool City Council in December 2025.

The design consultant will provide a multi‑disciplinary professional team, including:- civil and structural engineering, street lighting and traffic signal design, transport planning and project management. The team will also support early engagement with stakeholders and communities as the scheme designs are developed.

The procurement placed a strong focus on social value, with commitments including:- careers support for local Schools and Colleges, volunteering with community organisations, crime reduction initiatives and skills development activity.

Equality and environmental assessments show the programme can deliver wide ranging benefits through:- safer, more inclusive streets, alongside long term improvements to health, air quality and wellbeing.

Further funding approvals will be sought as the programme progresses toward detailed design and construction.

Councillor Dan Barrington, Cabinet Member for Transport and Connectivity, said:- "This contract award is an essential step in moving the Vauxhall and Greatie active travel programme forward. By investing in high quality design work now, we can develop schemes that make it easier and safer for people to:- walk, wheel, cycle and use public transport, while also improving the condition and appearance of key routes across North Liverpool. These improvements will help support healthier neighbourhoods, better connectivity and a more sustainable transport network for local communities."

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Merseyside fell silent for 97 Hillsborough Victims as calls for 'Hillsborough Law Now' gets louder

Council awards design contract to progress Vauxhall / Greatie active travel improvements