Merseyrail’s “overall satisfaction” score in the Spring 2010 National Passenger Survey reached 93%  which is a 2% improvement compared to 2009. This rating makes Merseyrail the best of all franchised train operators in the country.

In the eight areas highlighted in the Passenger Focus report, Merseyrail achieved the highest score of all franchised train operating companies in six.

These were:

• Overall Satisfaction
• Punctuality and Reliability
• Provision of Information at Stations
• Frequency of Trains
• Value for Money
• Sufficient room for passengers to sit/stand

Merseyrail improved its score in 27 of the 30 areas measured compared with the same period last year.

The largest improvement in score was for “helpfulness and attitude of train staff’, which increased by 18%. The next biggest improvement was in “station facilities and services” which increased by 16%.

Bart Schmeink, Merseyrail’s Managing Director, said: “We know that being the best train company in the country is not just about running trains on time but also about getting our customer service spot on. I am delighted to see that our efforts in this area have been recognised by our passengers.

“We are working hard with Merseytravel to make Merseyrail even better than it already is. Merseyrail keeps setting the standards that our colleagues in the rest of the UK aspire to”

Councillor Mark Dowd, Chair of Merseytravel, said:”This is an excellent performance and we shall endeavour to ensure the people of Merseyside continue to receive a first class service.”

School children from all over West Derby, Liverpool came together on Tuesday June 29 to celebrate the opening of Mab Lane Community Woodland with a mass wildflower balloon release.

More than 30 children from St Brigids, St Albert’s RC and Mab Lane Primary School released biodegradable balloons filled with wild flower seeds into the air to help plant vibrant patches of wild flowers right across the region and beyond.

The balloon release was followed by a 30 strong group Ultimate Frisbee Challenge where the children got the chance to play in the new green spaces.

The event marked the completion of the planting of 20,000 new trees to create the Mab Lane Community Woodland on two former brown field sites in West Derby as part of The Mersey Forest.

The event was attended by Cllr Tim Moore (Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change), Joe Dwek CBE (Board Member NWDA) and Keith Jones (Regional Director – Forestry Commission).

The creation of Mab Lane Community Woodland has resulted in 23 hectares of brownfield land that has been transformed into a multi-functional green space at the heart of a Liverpool community.

In addition to the newly planted trees, there are new wildflower meadows, a community orchard and seasonal wetland areas, all of which will support the conservation and enhancement of the area’s existing biodiversity.

Mab Lane is a partnership project of the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), the Forestry Commission, Riverside, the Mersey Forest, Liverpool City Council and the local communities close to the site.

The project has been funded by the Newlands programme (an NWDA and Forestry Commission land regeneration partnership), the Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces programme, and the English Woodland Grant Scheme.

An exhibition of Experimental Mechanics will be taking place at Liverpool University on September 8 2010.

This annual exhibition is the premier UK exhibition for manufacturers and suppliers of strain measurement and stress analysis equipment. 

The exhibition will take place at the exciting new venue of the Active Learning Laboratory, School of Engineering , University of Liverpool.

Entry to EMex10 is free and further information, including the latest list of exhibitors, visitor tickets and venue information can be found at www.bssm.org/emex10

The exhibition is organised by the British Society for Strain Measurement and will run alongside the Society’s 7th International Conference on Experimental Mechanics.

Exhibitors who will be at Emex10 include Adept Scientific who provide personal computer solutions for engineers, scientists, mathematicians, researchers and technical professionals by supplying and supporting a market-leading range of technical problem-solving software and hardware. 

Techni Measure will have available copies of the recently published strain gauge catalogue from TML, that includes details on several new products. Amongst these is a strain gauge that has a strain limit for post yield work up to 20 to 30%, and a new cryogenic gauge (CEF) that can be used not only at  -269degC, but also up to +200degC.

Dantec Dynamics will be showing the latest new features in their Digital Image correlation software, ISTRA 4D.

For further details please contact the BSSM at info@bssm.org Tel; 01525 712779.

St George’s Hall was built in 1855. Today it is one of the finest neo classical Grade 1 listed treasures in Liverpool.

Fully accessible, the new Heritage Centre on St Johns Lane is open free to the public Tuesday – Sunday and consists of the justice tour where you can walk the prisoners trail from holding cells to the imposing Crown Court.

Visitors are also able to access the magnificent Great Hall viewing gallery with its famous Willis Organ, new café and gift shop. Guided tours and talk’s are also available – call the Heritage Centre on 0151 225 6909.

Make your next event extra special in this unique venue;

• Corporate Events: Dinners, Meetings and Conferences
• Private Functions: Civic Weddings in the beautiful gilt Concert room, birthdays and anniversaries
• A fantastic TV/film location hire
• Music events and concerts
• School Groups welcome

Call the bookings team on 0151 225 6911 or email: stgeorgeshall@liverpool.gov.uk

Or visit our website at www.stgeorgesliverpool.co.uk to find out more about coming events and support us.

Here’s the roadworks updates for this week (WB 28 June 2010)

For more information on these and other highway schemes, please visit www.liverpool.gov.uk/highwayprojects.

Roads Affected by Works
Aigburth Road / Baltic Triangle / Commercial District (Dale Street & Old Hall Street) / Hall Lane / Knowledge Quarter (Mount Pleasant area) / Merseyrail / National Armed Forces Day Parade / Queensway Tunnel / Tuebrook / Park Road / The Strand / Walton Lane

Aigburth Road
Work is underway to replace a gas main on Aigburth Road between Beechwood Road and Dingle Lane.

The work is being carried out in four phases:

• Beechwood Road to St Margaret’s C of E School, (including the Aigburth Road/Aigburth Hall Avenue junction) - Complete
• St. Margaret’s C of E School to the junction of Fulwood Park and Aigburth Rd for 8 weeks – Current Phase
• Fulwood Park to the junction of Colsbrooke Rd and Aigburth Road for 12 weeks.
• The junction of Colsbrooke Rd and Aigburth Road along Colsbrooke Rd into Dingle Vale and into Dingle Lane for 4 weeks.

The work is being carried out under lane restrictions and there may be slight variations to the programme due to unforeseen circumstances. This information will be regularly updated.

Baltic Triangle
The CCMS scheme to improve the pavements and highways in the Baltic Triangle area has been on site since March 2010. Access to all local businesses is available at ALL times.

Sections of Jamaica Street are closed to traffic to allow the works to be completed safely and efficiently. The first section from Parliament Street to Jordan Street is now complete and the top section of Jamaica Street has been reopened.  Jamaica Street from Jordan Street to Norfolk Street is closed for another two weeks although access is available via side streets to all businesses.

The works will then move along Jamaica Street with a further section closure. Resurfacing of the first section of carriageway between Parliament Street and Norfolk Street will be undertaken over a three day phase in approximately a fortnight’s time.

Phase 1b has also been completed on Parliament Street after the installation of parking bays and repaving. Improvements to paving around trees on St James Street are almost complete.

Commercial District
On Dale Street work is continuing on the footpath from Moorfields to Vernon Street. This work will continue until early next week when Vernon Street reopens to traffic at its junction with Dale Street. The next phase will work in the area between Vernon Street and Cheapside and will include the temporary road closure of Cheapside and Hockenhall Alley to allow the construction of new raised sections of footpath across the side roads along Dale Street.

During this closure, access into Cheapside and Cunliffe Street will still be via Tithebarn Street but egress will be unavailable onto Dale Street making the streets temporarily two way. The two streets will not be closed simultaneously. Businesses and residents have been advised via Consultation leaflets.

The work area will then move in sections towards Hatton Garden before moving back along the opposite side of the road. Delays are being experienced due to shallow underground services found on site but the City Council is working with partners to undertake diversion works to minimise delays to the construction period.

Transco upgrade works are expected in the area around Hackins Hey which will close for a weekend on a date to be agreed to minimise impact upon local traffic and businesses.

The whole section of ‘blacktop’ carriageway along Dale Street between the flyover and Exchange St East will be reconstructed before the end of the scheme.

Phase one of work on Old Hall Street, on the footpath outside the Radisson Hotel has been completed. Work is continuing on the opposite footpath in the same location although progress was slowed due to emergency works by Scottish Power in the same location. 

Work in this section of the street from Leeds Street junction to Old Leeds Street will take approximately another two weeks and will include the removal of the pedestrian island at the junction of Old Leeds Street on weekend 3 and 4 July.

The whole of the CCMS works in the Commercial District be completed by early 2011.

Hall Lane Strategic Gateway
Hall Lane Strategic Gateway, now under construction, will provide a much improved traffic route for vehicles entering Liverpool from the east and will take through traffic out of the residential areas.

West Derby Street is now closed until towards the end of the year to enable major utilities and junction work to be carried out.

Service diversion work, including a major gas main, will continue up Irvine Street and across Minshull Street.  Some further changes will be put in place to the temporary road layout to enable this work to be carried out in stages.

In Prescot Street at it’s junction with Low Hill there will be minor lane restrictions over the weekend (26th & 27th June 2010), to permit Scottish Power to complete a road crossing begun the previous weekend.

The reinforced earth retaining wall is complete and is now being clad with sandstone. In situ reinforced concrete walls are required for short lengths at each end of the wall, and work on these is now in progress.

The sandstone in front of the wall is being excavated to road formation level and the excavated material is being re-used on site.

The Presbytery rebuilding works are complete and the car park area is being prepared.

Other off line road works have been continuing and parts of the new road have had drainage installed and road construction completed up to underside of the surface course.

We apologise in advance for any disruption these works will cause as we create a much improved route for vehicles entering our city from the east and remove through traffic from residential areas.

Knowledge Quarter/Mount Pleasant
Work is continuing on the CCMS scheme in the Knowledge Quarter in the area around the Metropolitan Cathedral and Liverpool University.

The upper part of Mount Pleasant from the junction with Oxford Street to Brownlow Hill is closed to traffic to allow the works to be completed safely. Safe and accessible pedestrian facilities will be maintained throughout the extent of the works.

Access to the University car parks, Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, Cathedral House and the Catholic Chaplaincy to the University is being maintained at all times from the Brownlow Hill junction while Upper Mount Pleasant is closed.

Excavation works have begun outside the steps to the Metropolitan Cathedral to ensure completion of this footpath and revised road alignment before Hope Street Feast in September.

Sections of footpath using new natural stone paving have been completed along the top section of Mount Pleasant outside the Cathedral. Work to remove existing historic paving for reuse in the middle section of Mount Pleasant is complete. Large sections of footpath between Hope Street and Rodney Street have been completed using this paving. Footpath works outside the Feathers Hotel are complete and works has moved into Great Orford Street well ahead of programme.

The benefits of this earlier completion include the removal of risk associated with Hope Street Feast and also that project works are competed ahead of graduation festivities connected to the city’s three universities.

Works are complete on the second phase of Clarence Street to upgrade the footpath outside Liverpool Community College between Pleasant Street and Mount Pleasant. Works on the footpath between Pleasant Street and Brownlow Hill will be completed in approximately three weeks. After this time, the road surface will be resurfaced across a couple of weekend road closures with dates to be advised.

Advance Traffic signal works to the junction at Clarence/Rodney/Mount Pleasant are complete ahead of schedule. New carriageway surfacing and road markings, including advanced stop lines for cyclists will be completed at a later date after kerbing and pedestrian tactile facilities have been installed.

Merseyrail
It may be useful to note that there is a rail replacement bus service in operation on the Northern Line between Hunts Cross and Liverpool Central from Saturday, 24th July to Friday, 27th August, 2010. For more details, please visit the Merseytravel website at www.merseytravel.gov.uk

National Armed Forces Day Parade
On Saturday, 26th June there will be a service at Liverpool Cathedral at 12 noon followed by a march from the Cathedral grounds with localised road closures from Liverpool Cathedral, right into Upper Duke Street, the entire length of Hope Street and left, into Mount Pleasant for disband at side of the Metropolitan Cathedral.

Queensway Tunnel
This will be closed in both directions from 10pm to 6.30am from Monday, 12th July to Thursday, 15th July. It will also be closed on Sunday, 18th July from 7am to 4pm for the Liverpool to Chester Bike Ride. Motorists are advised to use the Kingsway Tunnel instead.

Tuebrook
Ground investigation works at Tuebrook Roundabout, West Derby Road, L13, are ongoing to determine the location and condition of a National Grid gas main with lane restrictions on the approaches to and from the roundabout.   

Park Road
United Utilities is carrying out water main refurbishment works in four phases between Northumberland Street and High Park Street under temporary traffic signals. The works are due to be completed on July 9th and United Utilities will then move into High Park Street for approximately 3 weeks.

The Strand
Street light maintenance work by Enterprise Liverpool began on The Strand, New Quay and King Edward Street on Monday, 14th June for 3 weeks. The work is being carried out during off-peak hours only and under lane closures.

Walton Lane
United Utilities are carrying out water mains refurbishment works on Walton Lane in the outbound lane between Anfield Road and Priory Road. The work is being carried out in four phases.

Phase 1- Anfield Road to Tetlow Street (outbound)

Phase 2 - Tetlow Street to Spellow Lane (outbound)

Phase 3 - Spellow Lane to Priory Road (outbound)

Phase 4 - Priory Road to Spellow Lane (inbound)

There are no specific time frames for these phases but they are expected to be done in this order and as the works have been programmed to avoid the football season, they are all are expected to be completed in July.

Paul Gambon, Medicash head of sales, in training at Awesome Walls for the last ever abseil down the Liver Building, with Penny the duck

Liverpool based cash plan provider, and Liverpool Chamber of Commerce member, Medicash is preparing to take to the water for the first ever Liverpool Duck Race on Saturday 10th July.

The race, which is the brainchild of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service firefighter Lee Seddon, hopes to raise £75,000 for Claire House Children’s Hospice. Over 40,000 giant rubber ducks will be released into the Liverpool/Leeds canal at the Pier Head for the race.

Medicash, known for years in the city as the Penny in the Pound Fund, has named its duck Penny. Head of sales Paul Gambon said: “We are delighted to be involved in this unique event. The day promises to be action packed and plenty of fun, whilst raising much needed funds for a very good cause. We hope Penny finds her sea legs quickly and does well in the race!”

The day will also host the last ever abseil down the Liver Building which will see 280 men and women brave the 295 foot drop. Other activities throughout out the day include canoeing, cage football, stilt walking and demonstrations from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service.

Wirral based, Claire House cares for children with life limiting, life threatening conditions from across Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and the Isle of Man.

Helen Carlson from Claire House said: “It’s great to see local businesses like Medicash taking part in the Duck Race. The money raised from the event will help us to continue the specialist care and support we provide for many children and their families. We’re sure that the sight of 40,000 ducks in the canal will put a smile on everyone’s face!”

For further information about the day visit www.liverpoolduckrace.co.uk

As we move out of the recession, companies and individuals are now looking at training opportunities to give them a competitive edge in the global market place.

Oxford College of Marketing offer professional courses which are relevant to today’s needs and are specialists in marketing education. 

They are UK’s largest and most successful provider of CIM qualifications offering courses at all four levels from Introductory Certificate to the Chartered Postgraduate Diploma. 

This leading status has been  achieved by the excellent quality of service, tuition by leading marketers and a support team who provide a 24/7 service coupled with flexibility of studying options offered to suit individual’s needs including intensive weekends, revision days and distance learning supported by the latest web 2.0 based technology.

Oxford College of Marketing have also just launched CAM Diploma in Marketing Communications, Marketing Digital Media and Managing Digital Media.

Courses in the North West are delivered at Liverpool Hope University but Oxford College of Marketing has several centres throughout the UK including Reading, High Wycombe, Brighton, Sheffield, Oxford, Birmingham, Milton Keynes, London, Uxbridge and Croydon.

Funding is available from a variety of sources for employers within the Merseyside area, with many securing up to 60% towards the cost of the courses.

A Launch Evening is being held at Liverpool Hope University on 14 July 2010. Prospective students can meet tutors, representatives of the CIM and CAM, as well as current students who are the best ambassadors for studying with Oxford College of Marketing. 

If you would like to find out more about this exciting event please contact diane@oxfordcollegeofmarketing.ac.uk.

About The Chartered Institute of Marketing

The Chartered Institute of Marketing is the leading international professional marketing body with some 45,000 members worldwide.

First established in 1911 it has for almost a century defined the marketing standards that operate in the UK and is the global champion of best marketing practice.

The Institute exists to develop the marketing profession, maintain professional standards and improve the skills of marketing practitioners, enabling them to deliver exceptional results for their organisations. It does this by providing membership, qualifications and training to marketing professionals and businesses around the world.

For more information please visit: www.cim.co.uk

9 July, Friday - Hilton Deansgate, Manchester, M3 4LQ

UKTI is offering your company a unique opportunity to access a breadth of diplomatic and business expertise on 10 markets in Asia by registering for Manchester’s ‘Doing Business in Asia’ event at a special rate of £50.00 plus VAT, when registering with uktiatf10 promotional code.

Why should you attend?

Sign up for four market clinics to hear ‘on-the-ground’ briefings from UK business people and British Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Senior Representatives experienced in 10 Asian markets, including:

• Peter Beckingham, British Deputy High Commissioner, Mumbai 
•  Mark Kent, British Ambassador to Vietnam 
•  Peter Budd, Director, Arup 
•  John Fenton, Director, HMG Paints 
•  Aldyan Djanin, Head of RBS Global Transaction Services, South East Asia 
•  Michael Edelman, CEO, Nanoco Technologies

Click here for the full list of experts

 Drop-in clinics covering: 

• How to manage risk and cash flow when trading with Asia delivered by RBS
• Common Legal Issues when Doing Business in Asia delivered by DLA Piper
• How UKTI can help your business succeed in Asia

With over 100 local business delegates already signed up, this is a perfect opportunity to network and develop contacts with fellow delegates, business speakers and experts from Asia.

How to book

To benefit from this special rate please use the promotional code uktiatf10 when booking your place at www.businessinasia.co.uk

£100k prize money, plus professional services to be won

The Morgan Foundation Entrepreneur Awards 2010, with over £110,000 of cash prizes and services on offer to the winners, are now officially open.

The Awards are open to charities, social enterprises, businesses and entrepreneurs from Merseyside, Cheshire, Shropshire, North Wales and the Wolverhampton area.

There are five categories and 14 cash prizes to be won, including one specifically for charities and social enterprises in the Liverpool area, plus a package of valuable professional services, including free banking advice from the main sponsor Barclays.

Full details about the Awards can be found at the dedicated website: www.mf-awards.co.uk .

Speaking at the launch in Liverpool, Steve Morgan OBE said, “These awards are very different from most others; not only are there substantial cash prizes, but in line with the ethos of the Morgan Foundation, there are also categories aimed specifically at entrepreneurial charities and organisations that make a social or economic contribution to the region. With Government cut-backs imminent, such organisations are even more important in their local communities and need all the encouragement they can get.                                                                                                        

“These Awards really do make a difference to the organisations and individuals who take part. Last year’s winners and runners-up have said that winning has helped them in many ways; from a much needed capital injection into their business to improving staff morale.”

Designed to encourage a whole new generation of entrepreneurial role models, the Morgan Foundation Entrepreneur Awards categories also include Best Young Entrepreneur and Best New Business.

“The Awards attract entries from a diverse range of businesses,” explains Steve. “In the current climate, young entrepreneurs and new businesses will have to be more innovative and entrepreneurial in their approach in order to succeed. I’m sure that this year the standard of entries will be as high as ever.”

John Powell, Relationship Director, Barclays Corporate said, “Barclays is proud to support the Morgan Foundation Entrepreneur Awards for the fourth year running. We continue to support and lend to viable small-to-medium enterprises during these challenging and unprecedented economic conditions. I hope this year’s entrants and their stories will inspire other budding entrepreneurs to come forward and turn their own business dreams into a reality.”

The Awards are free to enter and it’s simple to apply. They open on 23 June 2010 and entrants have until 10 September 2010 to submit their applications. 

A panel of independent business leaders and experts will select the finalists, who will then have the opportunity to present in person at the final judging in October. The winners and runners-up will be announced live at a Gala Awards Dinner at the Carden Park Hotel on 11th November 2010.

Visit www.mf-awards.co.uk for all the details.

For further information please contact: Jane Harris, Morgan Foundation Administrator, 01829 782800 jane.harris@morganfoundation.co.uk

Greenbank College can offer a number of free work related courses for a limited time only. Courses are suitable for people in the workplace and are available for participants aged 16 and above.

Places are limited and will be allocated immediately.

Choose from:

1. First Aid at Work

Tue 29 June / Wed 30 June / Thurs 1 July 9am-4pm daily
OR
Tue 20 July / Wed 21 July / Thurs 22 July 9am-4pm daily

This HSE approved First Aid course will provide named first aiders within a place of work the opportunity to gain their qualification over 3 days.

 Included in the course will be:

• The principles and priorities of First Aid
• The duties of a first aide
• How to cope in an emergency
• How to deal with a major workplace incident

On successful completion of the course, participants will be awarded a 3 year certificate of competence (Health & Safety approved)

2. Level 2 Award in Food Safety

Immediate start

Wednesday, Thursday or Friday - Drop in sessions between 2.00pm - 4.00pm

This course is aimed at anyone who works in a kitchen or front of house in a bar, café or restaurant.

Students must complete 9 hours of online learning.

The qualification covers the following topics:

• Legislation
• Food safety and hygiene hazards
• Temperature control
• Refrigeration, chilling and cold holding
• Cooking, hot holding and reheating
• Food handling
• Principles of safe food storage
• Cleaning
• Food premises and equipment

Courses based at Greenbank College, Greenbank Lane, Liverpool L17 1AG.
Tel 0151 733 7255

Email your details – info@greenbank-project.org.uk to register your interest / to book / ask for a call back.