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Better bus bid
bonanza!
MERSEYTRAVEL has been
successful in a bid for £2.7 million of funding from the Department
for Transport's Better Bus Fund, to carry out projects to improve
bus services in areas of Knowsley, Halton and St Helens.
The Liverpool City Region (LCR) bid, led by Merseytravel on behalf
of the Local Authorities within the Better Bus Area, will fund
improvements including upgrades to bus stop/station infrastructure
and junction upgrades. The improvements will reduce local
congestion, which will in turn reduce the number of vehicles sat
idling in traffic queues, leading to improvements in air quality. In
Halton, some buses that pass through the two Air Quality Management
Areas (AQMAs) will be fitted with particulate traps in order to
improve air quality even further.
The funding will also provide for improving printed travel
information at bus stops and installing Real Time Information (RTI)
at key locations.
Councillor Ron Abbey, Merseytravel lead member for the Local
Transport Plan, Tram and Bus said:- "We are committed to
improving services for our passengers and continue our efforts to
encourage more people onto the public transport network. This
funding will help us to develop services and by reducing congestion
at key local pinch points, buses will be better able to run to
timetable, improving journey reliability and ultimately making it
easier for people to get around."
The Liverpool City Region Better Bus Area (BBA) includes a number of
main residential areas and key centres of employment comprising
Runcorn, Widnes, Kirkby, Huyton, St Helens town centre and Speke.
The BBA covers some of the most significant areas of deprivation in
the City Region as well as principal industrial and development
zones, including the Mersey Gateway and 3MG.
The Better Bus Area has been developed by Merseytravel in
partnership with Knowsley, St Helens and Halton Councils plus
Arriva, Stagecoach and Halton Transport.
Saliva test 'could
detect pancreatic cancer'
RESEARCHERS believe they
are one step closer to detecting pancreatic cancer; through a
simple saliva test.
The team at UCLA School of Dentistry were able to identify the same
biomarkers associated with pancreatic cancer in saliva, potentially
enabling dentists to screen for the disease.
Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer. Most
people with the disease will die within the 1st year of diagnosis,
and just 6% will survive 5 years.
Previous research has identified that dentists could help to screen
for a number of chronic diseases, diabetes, potential heart
problems, alcohol abuse and help with smoking cessation.
Pancreatic cancer accounted for 7,901 deaths in 20102. With previous
research suggesting gum disease could be linked to developing the
disease, Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr
Nigel Carter OBE, has called for further research into the potential
screening process.
Dr Carter said:- "Pancreatic cancer is extremely aggressive.
If there is any possibility of dentists detecting it through a
saliva test, further research must be done. What it does highlight
is the importance of regular visits to the dentist. Prevention
remains the best way to ensure a high standard of oral health.
Regular check-ups, as often as the dentist recommends, is one of the
Foundation's key messages. They help to cut down on the need for
un-necessary emergency treatment and nip any developing problems
early. If you have swollen gums that bleed regularly when
brushing, bad breath, loose teeth or regular mouth infections
appear, you should visit your dentist. Keeping to a good routine
that involves brushing your teeth for 2 minutes twice a day using a
fluoride toothpaste, cutting down on how often you have sugary foods
and drinks and regular use of interdental brushes will help to keep
any problems to a minimum."
The researchers examined mice models with pancreatic cancer whose
saliva showed evidence of biomarkers for pancreatic cancer. When
they inhibited the production of exospores at the source of the
tumour, the researchers found that the pancreatic cancer biomarkers
no longer appeared in the mouse's saliva.
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EVEN SANTA'S
GROTTO NEEDS A TV LICENCE
WITH Santa's helpers
setting up shopping centre grottos across Southport, TV Licensing
has issued a reminder that all businesses, even toy workshops and
reindeer stables, need a TV Licence to show live TV.
Any temporary business needing a TV Licence over the Christmas
period can, buy one in October and claim a refund worth more than
£100 in the New Year, provided the licence isn't needed again before
it expires.
TV Licensing is also prompting all businesses in Southport, whether
open just for the festive period or year round, to make sure they
are aware of their licensing requirements in order to avoid the risk
of getting caught over the holiday period and facing prosecution
with a large fine.
The ease with which wireless smart TVs and portable tablets can use
show live online TV services such as iPlayer means it's relatively
simple for temporary businesses to show live TV as entertainment for
customers.
Paul Williams, spokesperson for TV Licensing said:- "We want
people to stay on the right side of the law and enable people to
enjoy a happy Christmas. But any business in Southport showing live
television, whether for customers' use or in staff areas, must be
covered by a valid TV Licence. Those without a valid licence are
breaking the law and run the risk of a court prosecution and fine of
up to £1,000 per offence, plus costs. Those found guilty are also
required to buy a TV Licence at £145.50, or they could face a
potential second prosecution. So whether you're managing a grotto,
toy factory or reindeer stable, make sure you have a valid TV
Licence."
In offices manned by a skeleton staff over the Christmas period,
some employers may be tempted to allow staff to watch TV. To
help businesses and staff understand the legal implications of this,
TV Licensing has produced a downloadable "TV in the Workplace"
guide. The guide allows managers to outline whether the business is
covered by a TV Licence and whether staff and customers are allowed
to watch TV in the workplace. Download the template by clicking on
here. Manufacturers
say Britain must stay in EU
NORTH West manufacturing
industry wants Britain to stay in the EU according to a report by
manufacturers association EFF.
In a survey EFF, which represents 6000 firms of all sizes across the
UK, found that 85% of its members would vote to remain in the EU.
Manufacturers said EU membership is critical to exports and that the
economic benefits far outweigh concerns about regulation.
A 3rd said that if the UK was to leave the EU, they would be less
likely to increase investment in Britain.
The North West has the largest manufacturing sector in the UK with
over 320,000 people employed.
Southport Liberal Democrat MEP Chris Davies said:- "The
message from manufacturers is clear: in Europe, in work.
Thousands of manufacturing jobs across Southport and the North West
are linked to our exports to Europe.
In tough economic times we shouldn't be putting jobs at risk;
particularly highly skilled manufacturing jobs; by pulling out of
the EU.
As a Liberal Democrat I'm proud that we are unapologetically the
party that believes our future lies in the EU."
Business Secretary Vince Cable added:- "Here is one of our
leading, non-political employer organisations - the voice of the
makers of Britain - making it unambiguously clear that it would be
damaging to growth if we left or even formulated proposals to leave
the EU.
Our focus must remain on making the case for Britain being strong in
Europe as millions of British jobs depend on it." |
