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Author: Ollie Cowan

Sefton’s Public Health Director clears the air on pollution

19 September 2019
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Front Page, Health, Latest News

Sefton’s Director of Public Health, Matthew Ashton, is delighted to release this year’s Public Health Annual Report (PHAR) which focus’s on the topic of air quality across the borough.

This year’s report takes the form of a short animation in order to better explain what air pollution is, where it comes from in Sefton and what happens when dirty air is breathed in. 

The PHAR also talks about what the Council and others are already doing to improve air quality with some recommendations about what should happen in the future.  The video can be viewed online at www.sefton.gov.uk/PHAR 

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “Air pollution is a growing concern for many people who live in Sefton and the quality of the air we breathe is an issue that affects everyone.

“I am delighted that this topic was chosen as the theme for this year’s PHAR and I hope that it opens up a wider conversation about how we can all do more to protect our air.”

Matthew Ashton added: “In addition to bringing more transparency to the topic of air quality and how it affects the health and wellbeing of Sefton residents, this report is also my opportunity to recognise the work that Sefton Council has been doing to make Sefton’s air cleaner.

“Air quality is a topic that is becoming more and more important to people not only locally, but also at national level. We cannot make change happen alone and I echo my report when I call for more joined up action that will help people to breath cleaner air now and in the future.”

The PHAR and a short supplementary document can be viewed online at www.sefton.gov.uk/PHAR

Operation Brookdale – Emergency Services join forces to re-enact scrambler collision for local school children

19 September 2019
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Essential Sefton, Front Page, Latest News

More than 200 primary schoolchildren descended on Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service’s (MFRS) Training and Development Academy this week as part of a joint initiative aimed at educating young people about the dangers of off-road bikes.

Year 5 pupils from The Grange, St Elizabeth’s, St Phillips, English Martyrs and Lander Road primary schools visited the Storrington Avenue site on Thursday 19th September as part of an action-packed day, organised to help steer young people away from getting involved with the anti-social and illegal use of scrambler bikes.

The event – part of Operation Brookdale – saw pupils witness a re-enactment of a crash involving a scrambler bike, giving them an up-close account of the real dangers the bikes bring.

As well as the emergency services, the young people were visited by special guest Jamie Carragher, who spoke passionately about the need for educating young people about the risks of becoming involved in riding off-road bikes.

Merseyside Police’s Operation Brookdale was first introduced in 2012 as a response to a rise in incidents over the summer months and is now run all year round in partnership with MFRS, National Police Air Service helicopter, local authorities, housing associations, schools and youth groups.

Whilst there has been a reduction in recent years in the number of incidents involving scrambler bikes, the issue remains a top priority.

Merseyside Police Chief Constable, Andy Cooke, said: “The issue of off-road bikes causes nuisance, stress and serious risk to the communities of Merseyside and beyond. We’ve seen serious injuries, lives lost and families devastated.

“What does give us encouragement is the progress made in recent years, with incidents reducing, and we’re seeing seizures and arrests on a daily basis.

“But we’re not complacent, we know that incidents still do happen and can have such a negative impact on those residents affected. Key to our progress now and in the future is educational and early engagement with those who might be at risk of being involved.”

Thursday’s event was the result of partnership working between the police, fire service, Sefton Council and Merseyside Road Safety Partnership.

Chief Constable Cooke added: “Officers across Sefton work particularly close with partners to make young people aware of the potential dangers and help steer them away from getting involved with anti-social and illegal use of bikes, and this accident re-enactment is one of the many projects they have on the go, with the involvement of enthusiastic young people and their schools.

Sefton welcomes successful heritage bid for Southport Town Centre

19 September 2019
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Essential Sefton, Featured Friendship News, Front Page, Latest News

Sefton Council is delighted to announce it has been successful in a bid to secure additional National Lottery funding for the Southport Townscape Heritage Project.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded £1.6m to the local authority, who have been working alongside partners at the Southport Business Improvement District (BID).

The new additional funding award will be added to the council’s own contribution of £200,000 into a growing pot that could eventually amass up to £2.5 million for the project.

Sefton Council will use the funding towards property improvements, skills training and community activities within the Southport Townscape Heritage Project (STHP).

The STHP seeks to enhance the character and historical identity of Southport, including:

• The structural repair of historic buildings
• Reinstatement of authentic architectural features
• Educational programmes
• Enhanced use of vacant floor space in historical buildings

Cllr Darren Viedman, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning & Building Control, said: “Since our first successful bid, a lot of work has been undertaken to fully develop the project including the adoption of the Conservation Area Management Plan, discussions with building owners, building property surveys and valuations, further public consultation and workshops with project partners.

“This additional funding will go towards our work to enhance the links between Lord Street and the Promenade reducing the vacant and poorly maintained properties and greatly increasing economic activity in these areas.

“The overall project also aims to increase local knowledge and appreciation of Southport’s rich heritage and inspire future generations using specialist educational courses, innovative digital technology and complementary heritage-focused activities.

“We continue to work extremely closely with our partners at Southport BID and the Southport Civic Society as well as target property owners in the town to successfully deliver the scheme.”

David Renwick, National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Director for the North of England, said: “Many of the nation’s collective childhood memories are linked to the British seaside, but in recent years it has been saddening to see some of our coastal towns fall into disrepair.

“As the UK’s largest funder of heritage, here at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we’re delighted to award a grant that will go towards reversing that decline in Southport and breathe new life into the buildings found in the Lord Street and Promenade Conservation Areas to be enjoyed all-year round.”

For more information about the STHP or to get involved please email Paul.Crowther@sefton.gov.uk or telephone 07971 811753.

To keep up to date with the project and find out more information on Southport’s Heritage, follow us on Twitter @SouthportTHP and Facebook www.facebook.com/groups/southportthp or visit https://www.sefton.gov.uk/townscape

Legendary photographer Doug Allan takes you behind the lens in special show

19 September 2019
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News

Join multi-award-winning wildlife cameraman Doug Allan for a special evening of behind the scenes stories for all the family, with highlights from the most challenging assignments of his 35 years filming wildlife in the remotest places on Earth.

This brand -new show, which takes place at Southport Waterfront, is hosted by the iconic cameraman whose TV credits include Blue Planet, Planet Earth, Life, Human Planet, Ocean Giants & Frozen Planet.

Doug is one of the world’s best known and respected cameramen, specialising in natural history, expeditions and science documentaries and has worked for the BBC, Discovery, National Geographic and many more. This new presentation traces Doug’s personal journey as he discusses how he’s seen pollution and climate change affect the natural world.

There will be an audience Q&A at the end of presentation.

Copies of Doug’s book Freeze Frame will be on sale, as well as his colour prints of polar bears, penguins and seals.

Doug Allan – Wild Images, Wild Life can be seen in our Waterfront Suite on Thursday 24 October from 7.30pm. Tickets are £25 / £22 Under 16’s to book call 033 33 44 5000 / option 5 or go online at waterfrontsouthport.co.uk.

Joining us for this event, please use the Promenade Entrance on arrival.

Keep up to date with the events and activities at the Waterfront, plus receive offers and be the first to know about new and exciting acts coming to the town – join our mailing list at waterfrontsouthport.co.uk.

Merseyrail offers free travel to kids to celebrate Car Free Day

19 September 2019
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: 2019 - Sefton's Year of friendship, Front Page, Latest News

Merseyrail are celebrating Car Free Day by offering free travel to kids anywhere on their network this Sunday (22 September).

The move is part of an initiative to raise awareness of greener ways to travel and how people can make small changes to protect the environment.

This Sunday, children 15 and under will be able to travel on the most reliable rail service in the country for free with a paying adult.

Passengers can head to any Merseyrail ticket office and children will be given a special free ticket when accompanied by an adult. Up to four children can travel for free per paying adult.

World Car Free Day promotes improvement of mass transit, cycling and walking, as well as the development of communities where jobs are closer to home and where shopping is within walking distance, tackling the issue of cars generating three times more carbon emissions than trains.

Events take place internationally and are designed to give motorists an idea of their locality with fewer cars.

Cath Johnston, Head of Sustainability at Merseyrail, said: “Mass car travel is having a devastating impact on our planet, and by making small changes to our travel arrangements we can all do our part to help.

“Road travel generates some of the most dangerous air pollutants in our region – including the toxic gas nitrogen dioxide which can cause a flare-up of asthma or symptoms such as coughing and difficulty breathing. However, it’s not just the environment that makes rail travel a better option.

“With regular trains across the network, and 15-minute services between 7am and 7pm, as well as more time to relax, no roadworks or traffic lights and the lowest fares in the country, it’s the ideal choice.

“Taking advantage of the kids free travel day means that passengers will be contributing to a cleaner, greener environment, as well as enjoying journeys from as little as £1.91.”

Merseyrail services connect Liverpool city centre with Wirral and Southport and many places in between.

Families can enjoy a day at Formby beach, grabbing an ice cream at Southport Pier or going on a bike ride along the Wirral Way. If the weather is not ideal, a trip to one of Liverpool’s many free museums or galleries is a great alternative.

Adults can travel all day with Merseyrail from just £4 per adult. Day Saver tickets can be purchased online or at any Merseyrail station.

Car Free Day is a chance to get children thinking about air pollution and the environment, and with lots of ‘green’ days out in the region – hopping on the train is a great way to enjoy some family time.

Top green locations on the Merseyrail network include National Trust Formby, Rice Lane City Farm, Brotherton Park and Dibbinsdale Local Nature Reserve, Otterspool Park and many more.

To find out more about green days out on Merseyrail, visit Destination Merseyside here.

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