News reports located on this page = 4.

Kirkby Headbolt Lane Station scheme moves a step closer with ₤3.3m funding secured and CGI images are unveiled

THE Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram's pledge for a new Station at Kirkby Headbolt Lane has moved a step closer thanks to a further ₤3.3m investment. And images illustrating the potential design of the new Station have also been revealed. The new Station plans include proposals for around 500 park and ride spaces and a bus interchange with step-free access throughout the Station and onto the new Merseyrail trains The additional funding, from the Combined Authority's Strategic Investment Fund, has been approved to move to the next stage of Network Rail's design process. The full scheme includes the extension of the Merseyrail network beyond the existing Kirkby Station. It would also mean that residents in the Northwood and Tower Hill areas of the town would be even closer to services on the Merseyrail network. It would see Merseyrail services run into the new Station, as opposed to the current services which run as far as Kirkby. Northern services from Wigan and Manchester would also operate to and from the new Station. The development also forms part of the plans to build new rail link to Skelmersdale, which would connect to the Merseyrail network via Kirkby. Merseytravel is continuing to work closely with Lancashire County Council and West Lancashire Borough Council to support that scheme. An outline business case is currently being developed for the scheme, which is expected to be completed by September 2020. It is planned for the new Station to be operational by 2023. The Station also forms part of the Liverpool City Region Long Term Rail Strategy, a 30 year plan, which was updated in 2018.

Speaking about this new investment in the scheme, Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said:- "I'm delighted that we're moving forward with our plans for a new Station at Headbolt Lane. It's a really exciting moment and great news for the people of Kirkby. It shows my continued commitment to invest in transport infrastructure across the whole City Region. As a local lad, Kirkby is close to my heart so I'm pleased that it will now be better connected to the City Region via our new trains which will be some of the most sophisticated in the country. An improved public transport network is central to building back better and supporting our economic recovery. I remain determined to deliver our ambitious plans for a London-style integrated transport network that the people of the City Region deserve. We know that transport may look different post-Coronavirus, but that will not stop us from realising our ambitions for the future."

Cllr Tony Brennan, Knowsley Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, said:- "I'm delighted that this project has secured funding. It will also significantly improve transport options for our residents as well as improve access to Knowsley Business Park (one of the largest employment areas in Europe) and other key services, particularly in the Northwood and Tower Hill areas in Kirkby. I look forward to seeing this project progress."

Karen Hornby, head of performance and customer relations at Network Rail said:- "We're delighted to be working with the Metro Mayor and our Combined Authority partners on the new Station development at Headbolt Lane. The new Station and reinstatement of 2 tracks, will ensure Merseyrail and Northern can serve a greater number of passengers in the wider Kirkby area. It will mean better connections to Liverpool and Manchester by public transport, bringing greater opportunities for work, study and leisure."

NSPCC comment on sentencing of Julie Marshall over 81,000 child abuse images

THE  NSPCC has issued the following comment following the sentencing of Julie Marshall, previously known as John Marshall, who was jailed for 9 months following a sentencing at Preston Crown Court.  A spokesperson for the NSPCC said:- "Every 1 of the 81,000 images in Marshall's appalling collection represents a child who has suffered abuse which could affect them for the rest of their lives. By seeking out these appalling images, Marshall has helped fuel this repulsive trade and contributed to the abuse of children for over more than a decade. The NSPCC is calling on the Government and tech giants to prevent this disgusting trade and ensure no child has to endure this kind of abuse for the gratification of paedophiles like Marshall. Children can contact Childline on:- 0800 1111, adults with concerns about children can contact the NSPCC Helpline on:- 0808 8005000."

Rochelle Humes supporting drive to 'Change the Story' and get thousands of inclusive children's books into UK Primary Schools

CHILDREN'S book company Little Box of Books has launched a crowd funder and with the support of presenter, author and musician Rochelle Humes hopes to diversify the bookshelves of Schools across the UK The crowd funder:- 'Change the Story' is raising ₤55,000 to diversify the bookshelves in some of the most disadvantaged Schools in the UK. 

In a report released last year it was revealed that only 4% of children's books published in 2018 had a black, Asian or minority ethnic main character, meaning 96% of main characters were either white, animals or inanimate objects. "I am a big advocate of driving representation of the BAME community through literature, which is 1 of the reasons why I started writing children's books. The best way to stamp out racism is through awareness and by educating children at grassroots level. Stories are the window into the wider world, and the more that children are exposed to different people from different backgrounds, the more accepting they will be as they grow."

Owner and founder of Little Box of Books Lynsey Pollard believes it's crucial that every Primary School should have a full and diverse collection of books, fully accessible to all pupils. "We want our children to grow up to be anti racist, to accept difference with understanding and respect. Whether that's differences in skin colour, family set up, socioeconomic background, disabilities. But this is at odds with the books we give them; we can't keep giving children lessons on the importance of accepting and celebrating diversity, telling them everybody is different and everybody is normal, then sending them back to bookshelves which don't back that message up."

Amanda Matsangou, the Assistant Headteacher of Newton Leys Primary School, Milton Keynes has recently diversified her School library and says:- "Our School is incredibly diverse, but it has been an exceptionally hard and time consuming process to even begin to find story books that feature characters that our pupils identify with. Little Box of Books has curetted book collections that are much more reflective of the UK population. They remind our children that anything is possible"

The crowd funder launched on Friday, 12 June 2020 and will run for 4 weeks, to find out more about the project and to donate head to:- CrowdFunder.Co.UK.

Pre-School Open Week for parents

THINKING of a Pre-School for your little 1 in September? Lakeside Pre-School has spaces available and is running an open week from 20 July to 24 July 2020. Along with a huge amount of indoor space; critical in these times of a pandemic; there's also plenty of outdoor space. Previously known as Elim Pre-School, with a:- 'Good' Ofsted, they have changed their name to better reflect their place in the community. Manager Vicky Copeland explained:- "We have been open for key workers part way through lockdown, so we're confident with the 'new normal' and we're delighted to announce that we're extending opening hours to help parents manage work more effectively." With social distancing in place, you will have to book your visit on the Open week by calling:- 01704544419 Ext:- 2 or text:- 07735699828. For more information, please visit:- LakesidePreSchoolSouthport.UK.