Category: Merseytravel

Merseytravel “expect” works on accessibility improvements at Birkenhead Park, Broad Green, Hillside, St Michael’s and Hunts Cross train stations to be finished by the end of “October 2021”

Merseytravel “expect” works on accessibility improvements at Birkenhead Park, Broad Green, Hillside, St Michael’s and Hunts Cross train stations to be finished by the end of “October 2021”

Merseytravel “expect” works on accessibility improvements at Birkenhead Park, Broad Green, Hillside, St Michael’s and Hunts Cross train stations to be finished by the end of “October 2021”

                                    

John Brace at Birkenhead Park Train Station (January 2008) pointing out accessibility issues
John Brace at Birkenhead Park Train Station (January 2008) pointing out accessibility issues

Above you will see a somewhat youthful photo of myself campaigning in January 2008 for improvements to Birkenhead Park Train Station (in relation to the stepped ramp that passengers have to use to and from the platforms).

These steps cause problems for wheelchair users, cyclists and mothers with pushchairs as there is no lift at this train station.
Continue reading “Merseytravel “expect” works on accessibility improvements at Birkenhead Park, Broad Green, Hillside, St Michael’s and Hunts Cross train stations to be finished by the end of “October 2021””

Why is Merseytravel using an unlicensed security company to do “security guarding” at its Mann Island Headquarters?

Why is Merseytravel using an unlicensed security company to do “security guarding” at its Mann Island Headquarters?

Why is Merseytravel using an unlicensed security company to do “security guarding” at its Mann Island Headquarters?

                                 

1 Mann Island, Headquarters of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Merseytravel
1 Mann Island, Headquarters of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Merseytravel

Above is a picture of the outside of 1 Mann Island which are the leased headquarters of Merseytravel and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. Merseytravel have a contract with a company called Carlisle Security Services Limited (33 pages of the contract supplied by Merseytravel are below) to provide a “Concierge and Porter Service” for 1 Mann Island (their headquarters) pictured above.
Continue reading “Why is Merseytravel using an unlicensed security company to do “security guarding” at its Mann Island Headquarters?”

What are the dates of the 6 RMT strike days on the Merseyrail network and will the £273 million cost of the new trains rise if the UK leaves the EU?

What are the dates of the 6 RMT strike days on the Merseyrail network and will the £273 million cost of the new trains rise if the UK leaves the EU?

What are the dates of the 6 RMT strike days on the Merseyrail network and will the £273 million cost of the new trains rise if the UK leaves the EU?

                                     

Stadler invoice to Merseytravel 18th February 2019 £5,468,499.05
Stadler Bussnang AG invoice to Merseytravel 18th February 2019 £5,468,499.05

Above is an invoice paid in March 2019 for 2% of the value of 52 new class 777 trains that Merseytravel are buying from Stadler Bussnang AG. This invoice was released to us on the 12th July 2019 as part of a request made using the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 in relation to the 2018-19 financial year. The invoice was requested as part of a collaborative journalism project with the Bureau of Investigative Journalism’s Bureau Local project.
Continue reading “What are the dates of the 6 RMT strike days on the Merseyrail network and will the £273 million cost of the new trains rise if the UK leaves the EU?”

What were Cllr Liam Robinson’s answers to 2 questions about vandalism to bus stops and bus shelters in Merseyside?

What were Cllr Liam Robinson’s answers to 2 questions about vandalism to bus stops and bus shelters in Merseyside?

What were Cllr Liam Robinson’s answers to 2 questions about vandalism to bus stops and bus shelters in Merseyside?

                                   

Bus stop Bidston Village Stop S25080B Buses towards Beechwood Arrowe Park Hospital Noctorum
Bus stop (S25080B) in Bidston Village captioned Buses towards Beechwood, Arrowe Park Hospital and Noctorum

On Thursday afternoon, the councillors on the Transport Committee of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority had a public meeting. As I was still on my way back from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Headquarters to Liverpool City Centre following a public meeting of the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority, my two questions about vandalism involving bus stops and bus shelters were asked in my absence by Louise Outram.
Continue reading “What were Cllr Liam Robinson’s answers to 2 questions about vandalism to bus stops and bus shelters in Merseyside?”

Merseytravel and the LCRCA again refuse to show how your money is spent and claim it is vexatious to even ask!

Merseytravel and the LCRCA again refuse to show how your money is spent and claim it is vexatious to even ask!

Merseytravel and the LCRCA again refuse to show how your money is spent and claim it is vexatious to even ask!

                                           

Cllr Steve Foulkes (Lead Member for Finance and Organisational Development) front (right) answering a question at a public meeting of the Transport Committee (Liverpool City Region Combined Authority) 9th August 2018
Cllr Steve Foulkes (Lead Member for Finance and Organisational Development) front (right) answering a question at a public meeting of the Transport Committee (Liverpool City Region Combined Authority) 9th August 2018

The ongoing saga of trying to persuade Merseytravel and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to release details of a small number of invoices has now entered a new phase.

Last year I asked to inspect these invoices during the 30 day inspection period and was told this was unreasonable. I was asked to submit a FOI/EIR request (which I did). Now having submitted a FOI/EIR I am told Merseytravel estimate it would take 11 hours (within the 18.5 hour FOI cost limit). Merseytravel estimate that the activities of consulting and redacting (which don’t count towards the 18.5 hour limit) would take an estimated further roughly 24 hours that Merseytravel wish to class the request as vexatious instead.

Merseytravel acknowledge that part of the request could be an EIR request (which has no time limits) but have decided to base their estimates of time without excluding the EIR elements of it.
Continue reading “Merseytravel and the LCRCA again refuse to show how your money is spent and claim it is vexatious to even ask!”