RAIL PASSENGER SATISFACTION DIPS

ON 19 June 2013 the Passenger Focus chief executive, Anthony Smith, said:- "Passengers faced variable performance in the early part of 2013. There continues to be a wide gap between the better and weaker performing services;  satisfaction with individual operators ranges from 76% to 95%. Value for money by route is even more striking with satisfaction levels ranging from 17% to 76%. Passengers are now the main overall funder of Great Britain's railway, so it is vital that their key needs are met. Given that performance is the key factor that underpins most passengers' general view of the railway, train companies and Network Rail must keep striving to get more trains on time."  The rail National Passenger Survey (NPS) is 1 of the largest published customer satisfaction surveys of rail passengers in the world. We speak to around 60,000 passengers to produce twice-yearly ratings for overall satisfaction and satisfaction with more than 30 factors including punctuality, staffing and cleanliness. For the 1st time, Passenger Focus have also produced at-a-glance guides to the Great Britain, Scotland and Wales headline results and recent trends that can be seen via downloading the main report from the Passenger Focus website.

PARKING ISSUES IN FORMBY AND AINSDALE

MERSEYSIDE Police are asking people to consider using public transport when visiting the beaches around Formby and Ainsdale during the summer. This follows several incidents of careless and dangerous parking in the area during the recent sunny weather. On the weekend of 8 June and 9 June 2013, police received a variety of reports from residents about the issue, particularly around Formby. Both the National Trust and Sefton Council car parks in the area had become full early in the day and many visitors then resorted to parking in residential roads. Officers working with National Trust rangers had to advise many people to move their cars as their parking was posing a risk to pedestrians and other drivers. Some of the cars were also parked across residents drives, making it impossible for them to get their own cars out.  Inspector Nigel Stewart said:- "We know how people like to enjoy the beaches of Formby and Ainsdale in the good weather and we encourage that. But parking is limited in both areas and it really is worth people considering coming by train to avoid the risk of parking fines or fixed penalty notices. We ask all drivers to respect residents in the area and make sure that, if they must bring the car, they park in a safe and legal place."  To see our coverage of this issue please click on here and here.

Liverpool Gets Crafty at the Summer Arts Market

THE historic St George's Hall throws open its doors for the first ever Summer Arts Market on Saturday, 27 July and Sunday the 28 July 2013. A 2 day celebration of arts and crafts, the public will be invited to browse and buy work as well as trying their hand at a range of arts workshops throughout the weekend. Offering a unique alternative to the high street, the Summer Arts Market plays host to a wide variety of artists, designers and makers selling creations including original screen prints, paintings, jewellery, tableware, beauty products, decorations, accessories, textiles, photography, knitwear. For the 1st time the art market will offer a range of ticketed arts workshops over the weekend led by professional creative's from dot-art, OUTPOST Studio, Craft Creative, Liverpool Happy Hookers Crochet Group and The Button Boutique. Visitors will also be able to explore the astonishing surroundings of St George's Hall, which is a Grade I listed heritage site. And with free arts activities for children, there is something for all ages. Booking workshops can be done online or by calling:- 0871 220 0260.  All workshops include free entry into the Summer Arts Market on the day of your activity.