Author: Ollie Cowan

A programme of platform upgrades is about to begin to prepare the Merseyrail network for the arrival in 2020 of new, state of the art trains that will transform how people travel.

The phased programme of upgrades will take place between October 2018 and June 2019, starting with

Phase one on the Northern Line.

Phase one will see work take place from 20th October to 28th October at stations between Ormskirk and Walton and from 29th October to 9th November at stations between Ormskirk and Old Roan. Where stations are closed rail replacement buses will be in operation, information will be available at stations.

Passengers are advised to visit www.merseyrail.org/itshappening for more information.

The second phase of work will take place between 12th November and 16th December at Bank Hall station. Rail replacement buses will be in operation and information will be available at stations closer to the time.

These vital works, delivered by Network Rail, will involve upgrading existing platforms and realigning tracks to ensure that they are compatible with the new trains and their ground breaking, sliding step technology that will provide unassisted access for all.

This means that wheelchair users can board the train without a ramp and passengers with prams and cycles can get on and off the train with ease. This technology represents a pioneering approach for the UK.

There will be 11 phases of work between October 2018 and June 2019. Only short sections of line will be closed at any one time, with all stations on that section closed. Closures will vary in duration, but most will be between nine and 30 days at a time.

High quality, rail replacement buses will get passengers to where they need to go as quickly as possible and some of these will be express services.

Merseytravel, Merseyrail and Network Rail have worked collaboratively on this project and significant planning work has been carried out to minimise the time needed to complete these important works and reduce disruption to passengers.

More detailed information will be made available in advance of each phase and travellers will be encouraged to plan ahead, stick to public transport and consider their travel options including commercial bus services and the Mersey Ferries.

Businesses and organisations are advised to think about what they may need to put in place to support staff and customers.

Eastbank Street, Southport will undergo overnight carriageway maintenance works from October 15, which will last for approximately two weeks.

Sefton Council’s Highways team will be issuing letters to residents and businesses on Eastbank Street, to let them know about the upcoming carriageway resurfacing project.

Work is due to commence on Monday October 15 and will take approximately fourteen nights to complete.

The works will take place between the junction of Princes Street and Scarisbrick New Road’s roundabout with Eastbank Street, with the road closed to traffic between 6.30pm and 1am.

Cllr John Fairclough, Cabinet Member for Locality Services, said: “Sefton is a borough continuously on the move and making sure Eastbank Street’s carriageway is maintained is a priority.

“Due to the location of the works and the amount of surrounding properties and businesses, we are intending to carry out the works of an evening after 6.30pm to minimise inconvenience and disruption as much as possible.”

It is planned for the night works to end at midnight, followed by a site safety procedure which will be completed on each occasion by 1am.

Pedestrian access to shops and amenities will be available at all times, as well as access for emergency vehicles.

Diversions will be in place via Lord Street, Manchester Road, Hartwood Road, St Luke’s Road, Rose Hill, Ash Street, Forest Road, Virginia Street and vice versa.

Both the works and diversion routes will be signposted accordingly.

For further information on road closures across the borough visit www.sefton.gov.uk.

One Vision Housing (OVH) tenants and local community groups came together to celebrate Older Person’s Day with a themed afternoon tea which marked the centenary of the women’s vote.

The event, organised every year by social housing provider OVH, brings together older members of the community and celebrates their positive impact on society.

OVH tenants and members from Sefton Veterans, Veterans HQ, Sefton OPERA, Alzheimer’s Society, Sefton Advocacy, Feel Good Factory, Kindfulness Coffee Club and Linacre Bridge Community Hub joined in the celebrations which took place at Bootle Firwood Cricket Club.

This year’s event saw 250 guests greeted by real life suffragettes – staff and volunteers dressed in iconic long skirts complete with rosettes and ‘Votes for Women’ sashes.

Alongside the champagne afternoon tea, guests enjoyed raucous live entertainment from local comedian PJ Laine and the Bootle Belles as well as an empowering set by acclaimed singer Victoria Jones (Liver Bird).

Displayed throughout the venue were banners and boards with information about the women who fought for the cause. These were provided by Crosby Library and produced with support from OVH’s own Community Development Fund.

The event received National Lottery funding from the Big Lottery Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK, as part of a series of four OVH community events which aims to bring people together and tackle social isolation.

International Day of Older Persons is a United Nation initiative started in 1991 to raise awareness of health and social issues important to the elderly and to celebrate their continued contribution to society.