Merseytravel, Stagecoach and Arriva buses, Liverpool City Council, Merseyside Police and Halton Transport are working together once again to reduce traffic congestion and keep the city centre moving in the lead up to Christmas and throughout December.
The aim is to support the city regionâs economy by reducing illegal parking and monitoring traffic flow to prevent gridlock and make sure that bus services remain as punctual as possible. By working together in this way last year, congestion-causing incidents fell by more than a third (38 per cent) compared with the same period the previous year.
Illegal parking, which causes traffic congestion at busy times, is being addressed through parking enforcement in âhot spotâ areas. Bus operators and highways staff will also report illegal parking that they see causing a problem, and PCSO and police officers will stop vehicles from dropping off in bus stops and road junctions, and from blocking yellow box junction markings in the city centre.
This is the third year that this way of working to share information and resources has been used and has proved to be more effective than if each agency had worked alone. The joint initiative is believed to be the first of its kind in the country.
Cllr Liam Robinson, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Transport Portfolio Holder, said:
âResults from last yearâs initiative show that this way of working is effective in helping commuters and shoppers to get around more easily and also addresses the resulting air pollution that congestion can cause.
âWe encourage people to play their part too by leaving their cars at home and sticking to public transport wherever possible,
Managing Director of Arriva Merseyside, Howard Farrall said:
âWe welcome this initiative to help the reliability and punctuality of our services which are key to our customers and helps to reduce congestion. The more people we can encourage to use public transport, the better for the environment we live in and the air we breathe.
Rob Jones, managing director at Stagecoach Merseyside, Cheshire and South Lancashire, said:
âThis Christmas, we are encouraging everyone to make a more sustainable and convenient transport choice. One full Stagecoach double decker bus alone can take up to 75 cars off the road which will help to reduce city centre air pollution and speed up journey times.
âStagecoach buses will be operating across the holiday season. Whether itâs to see friends and family or to grab a bargain in the sales, our services will be running throughout. Customers will be able to leave their cars home and enjoy the festivities without the worry of expensive car parking fees or potential fines.
âWe will be keeping passengers informed with live traffic updates over the busy Christmas period on the website at www.stagecoachbus.com, on Twitter and on our new Stagecoach Bus App.â
Celebrate the New Year with a taste of the Highlands at the Mayor of Seftonâs Charity Burns Night.
The festivities have well and truly begun on Merseyrail with Father Christmas and carol singers appearing up and down the network this December.
tra special for some of Sefton’s vulnerable children by getting behind the Mayor’s Christmas Toy appeal.