Author: Ollie Cowan

There are just days left for anyone in Sefton wishing to have their say in the European Parliamentary Elections to ensure they are registered to vote.

More than five million voters across the North West England region will go to the polls on Thursday 23 May to elect the region’s eight Members of the European Parliament (MEPs.)

But in order to be able to vote, people must be on the Electoral Register by Tuesday, May 7. If you’re not registered already, visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote as soon as possible.

European Union citizens living in the North West are eligible to vote in the United Kingdom or their country of origin but not both. To vote in the United Kingdom, they must be registered to vote and have completed an additional form available at www.northwestvotes.gov.uk by Tuesday, May 7.

Anyone who is already on the electoral register can also choose to register by post. Applications for a postal vote in this election must be received by 5pm on Wednesday, May 8.

The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is 5pm on Wednesday, May 15. To find out more visit www.yourvotematters.co.uk

A full list of candidates for the European Parliamentary Elections is available at www.northwestvotes.gov.uk

Joanne Roney OBE, Regional Returning Officer for the European Elections in the North West, said: “We don’t want anyone who wants to have their say in these elections to miss out because they are not registered.”

The European Parliamentary Elections are run using a form of proportional representation. Voters have one vote only, and this can be cast for either a political party or an individual candidate. Each party puts forward a list of candidates for the North West and the allocation of the eight MEP positions will depend on the overall share of the vote that a party or individual candidate receives in the region.

MEPs represent the whole of the North West region and so everybody who is eligible to vote in the region will be voting from the same list of parties and candidates.

The North West region covers Cheshire, Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside.

Essential carriageway works are taking place at the junction of the A565 and Altcar Road, Formby.

The works, which commenced on Monday, April 29, are part of a traffic signal upgrade on the A565 (Formby Bypass) to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility at the junction. Contractors are expected to take up to four weeks to complete the works.

In order to facilitate these upgrades, phased lane closures will be in place during off peak hours and motorists are advised that some delays are likely during this time.

Peter Moore, Sefton Council’s Head of Highways & Public Protection, said: “The upgrade works will require the excavation of the carriageway, including the full width of Altcar Road on the Tesco side and the northern side of the A565.

“These works are due to take up to four weeks to complete and phased lane closures will be necessary during off peak hours

“Motorists are advised to expect some delays and extended journey times during these works however we will be taking all steps possible to reduce disruption. We appreciate motorists’ patience while this essential work takes place.

“The works will be suspended during both Bank Holiday weekends to allow for additional traffic on our road network.”

For more information about any roadworks or closures throughout Sefton, visit www.roadworks.org.