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Author: Ollie Cowan

Southport Pier temporarily closed to the public

13 December 2022
Ollie Cowan
No comments
Categories: Business and Economy, Front Page, Latest News

Ice damage on Southport pierSouthport Pier will be closed to the public until further notice as a result of extreme cold weather damage and ice.

Freezing temperatures, which are forecast to impact the Sefton coast for at least another week, have caused significant and unavoidable damage to the pier’s decking boards.

Treacherous

A build up of ice from coastal winds has also made the surface treacherous underfoot.

Following repeated inspections by Sefton Council and its contractors over the last 48 hours, a decision has now been taken to temporarily close Southport Pier.

It will remain closed until further notice.

Ambitious project

Sefton Council announced earlier this year an ambitious project to replace more than 53 miles of decking boards along the iconic structure.

While the pier has undergone extensive repairs and refurbishments over the last 160 years, a ÂŁ3 million project to replace the wooden decking along its entire 1.1km length was revealed recently by Sefton Council.

Ice damage on Southport pierSafety issue

A spokesperson for Sefton Council said: “Council officers and contractors had hoped to ensure the Pier remained open to the public during these works.

“However the current extremely cold weather, which has seen temperatures so low that the sea at Ainsdale and Birkdale froze in places, has caused additional damage to the decking.

“Moisture within the planks and joists has frozen causing the decking to lift away from its fixings and we are concerned this could present a safety issue to anyone attempting to walk down the pier.

“The decking has also become incredibly slippery, meaning it is treacherous to walk on.

“While we do not take this decision lightly, the temporary closure of Southport Pier is wholly necessary to keep people safe.

“We fully appreciate this may come as a blow to concessionaires on and around the pier however we are confident that they, like the council, would not want anyone to be put at risk of harm by venturing onto the pier in current conditions.”

Regular inspections

Southport Pier will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so. Regular inspections will take place and updates will be shared in due course.

Repairs to the Pier date back to as early as 1890 and during its long history it has fallen victim to incredibly powerful storm damage, boat crashes and numerous fires in the 19th and 20th century.

In 2018, extensive repairs and repainting works were carried out by Sefton Council to the Pier’s steelwork to combat corrosion from the sea.

You can find out more about plans to install 56 miles of new decking on Southport Pier here.

Help for rough sleepers throughout Winter 2022

9 December 2022
Ollie Cowan
No comments
Categories: Essential Sefton, Front Page, Latest News

Sefton Council is highlighting details of where anyone who finds themselves sleeping rough or knows someone who is, can find help and support this winter.

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said: “This Council has a long-standing commitment to helping people suffering from homelessness and supporting those rough sleepers who may find themselves in a vulnerable position, without a safe and warm place to call home.

“I am very proud of the work our teams do to help combat rough sleeping.

“Nobody wants to find themselves bedding down for the night on a cold pavement or stairwell and we are fully aware that with each new day, people may find themselves in need of support through absolutely no fault of their own.”

Unsafe

Cllr Hardy urged anyone with nowhere to stay or who feels unsafe about returning to their home, or who is facing homelessness to contact the Housing Options Team by emailing housing.options@sefton.gov.uk calling them on 0151 934 3541 or visiting www.sefton.gov.uk/homeless. The team will assess their case and provide housing options.

People can also find out about local organisations providing support by visiting www.seftondirectory.com and searching ‘homeless’.

Committed

Cllr Hardy added: “Through our recently commissioned Integrated Homeless Service and our Housing Options team, the Council is committed to helping people facing homelessness and supporting vulnerable people who may find themselves sleeping rough.

“I would urge any members of the public who suspect people are having to sleep rough in Sefton, by calling the Rough Sleeper Outreach Team via Light for Life on 01704 501256 or 07918 746042 outside normal office hours and weekends.’’

People can also email the Light for Life team at shc@lightforlifesefton.org.uk.

Veterans in Sefton is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation that helps veterans who are homeless or living in unsuitable housing. Based at The Brunswick Youth and Community Centre in Bootle, Veterans in Sefton can be contacted on 0151 933 0800 or 07591 825204 out-of-hours.

Veterans in Sefton (ViS) has also been commissioned to provide support to people who are currently serving or who have served in the Armed Forces. This covers regulars and reservists, their families and their dependents, who are homeless or threatened with homelessness.

ViS is based at The Brunswick Youth and Community Centre in Bootle. For any further help and information from ViS people can call 0151 933 0800 or 07591825204 out-of-hours assistance.

StreetLink

If you are concerned about someone over the age of 18 that you have seen sleeping rough, you can use the StreetLink website or App to send an alert. The details you provide are sent to the local authority or outreach service for the area in which you have seen the person, to help them find the individual and connect them to support.

www.streetlink.org.uk

It is important to note that if you think the person you are concerned about is under 18 please do not contact StreetLink but instead call the police.

If you think the person you are concerned about is in immediate danger or needs urgent care, please call 999.

Cambridge Arcade improvement works set to begin in 2023

1 December 2022
Ollie Cowan
No comments
Categories: Borough Of Culture, Business and Economy, Essential Sefton, Front Page, InvestSefton, Latest News

Cambridge Arcade, SoutportSignificant work to improve and restore Southport’s iconic Cambridge Arcade is set to begin in 2023.

The popular thoroughfare, which is home to a number of businesses, is a key site that links two of the town’s busiest high streets. Thousands of people pass through it each year.

Canopy

Phase One of the scheme of works to refurbish and repair damage to arcade canopy caused by debris falling from a neighbouring private property that is in need of repair.

Starting in Spring 2023, significant repairs will be made to the Lord Street end of the canopy roof. This includes replacing the overhead glazing, installing a new drainage system and implementing additional pigeon control measures.

Further works under the second phase of the scheme, from the Chapel Street entrance to Cambridge Arcade, is due to take place later in the year.

Sefton Council’s Property and Building Services Department have met with businesses in the Arcade to discuss the works and take on board any feedback and answer any questions.

This is the latest in a series of engagement opportunities between the local authority and town centre businesses directly impacted to ensure any works cause as little disruption as possible to their trade.

Asset

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources, Regulation and Compliance, said: “Cambridge Arcade is a fantastic asset in the heart of Southport Town Centre but, like many well-used historic locations, it is in need of some refurbishments.

“The Arcade’s canopy is the focus of our initial attention, and we will be undertaking significant works to address issues such as leaks and damaged glazing.

“While these works will ensure we preserve this beautiful Arcade for generations to come, we are unfortunately unable to directly repair the deterioration of the former British Home Stores (BHS) building due to this being privately-owned.

“Officers from Sefton Council have repeatedly contacted the owners of the building in regard to its condition and are hoping to meet with them in an attempt to progress the proposed restoration works which were granted planning permission earlier in the year.

“In any event, officers will continue to monitor the situation as it develops.”

Architects

Bernard Taylor Partnership Architects have been appointed by Sefton Council to work on the scheme and have also met with Cambridge Arcade’s tenants.

Further business engagement sessions will be held as the project progresses and Sefton Council will continue to work with tenants and other interested parties throughout the development process.

 

Sefton Registrars open via appointment only during Christmas shutdown

29 November 2022
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Essential Sefton, Health, Latest News

Sefton’s registrars will continue to operate during the 2022 Christmas shutdown period.

Registrars will be available, via appointment only, to register a death in the borough at Southport Town Hall on:

December 23 (9.15pm – 3pm)
December 28 (9.15am-4pm)
December 29 (9.15am-4pm)
December  30 (9.15am – 3pm)

January 03 (Normal Office Hours)

For more information or to book an appointment call 0151 934 2012/2013/2011.

Sefton declares unwavering support for White Ribbon Day 2022

25 November 2022
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News

Sefton Council is supporting the national White Ribbon campaign’s 16 Days of action to help eradicate domestic abuse across the borough.

White Ribbon Day 2022, which falls on Friday November 25th, aims to raise awareness about the challenges — and dangers — women and girls face in day to day life.

The 2022 campaign coincides with the start of the United Nation’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence and campaigners have identified 11 traits people can pledge to show in support of women and girls. 

While the 16 Days of Activism is welcomed by Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, she said it comes at a time when many women and girls will be fearing an increase in cases of domestic abuse.

Previous research has shown that during football tournaments, like in the ongoing World Cup, domestic abuse has risen dramatically.

Figures jumped by up to 27% during England World Cup games and reached 32% when they were defeated. But figures also rose when England won.

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing said: “Whether it is physical emotional or sexual, domestic abuse and coercive control that can go with it is unacceptable at any time.

“We fully support White Ribbon Day 2022 and the 16 Days of Activism that follows and we ask men everywhere to recognise the necessity for them to stand up and take responsibility in working towards a future without violence against women.

“The first step towards this is wearing a white ribbon and making the promise to never commit, excuse or remain silent about male violence against women.

“Right now there will be people, and statistics show the vast majority of them will be women, across Sefton living in fear while the World Cup is taking place.

“Because abusers can be controlling making leaving an abusive relationship very hard, it is vital that friends and family support someone they suspect is being abused.

“Encourage them to speak to you or a professional about what is going on.”

Cllr Hardy said the tell-tale signs to look out for can include the person making excuses for their abuser’s behaviour, a high incidence of sickness absence or a nervousness talking openly when their abuser is around.

She added: “In an emergency, people should always dial 999 but if they want to find out how they can support someone they suspect is being abused, they should visit www.sefton.gov.uk/domestic-abuse.”

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