Welcome to “Sunday Snippets” a weekly feature from birkenhead.news. It is a round-up of important local news stories from the last seven days. Click or tap on each story to read the full article.
Full list of phase two of Wirral’s proposed 20mph roads
These are all the roads where new 20mph zones could be introduced on the Wirral.
947 roads could become new 20mph zones in Wirral as new plans were revealed to reduce the speed limits on these roads. This is following the rollout of new zones on 1,700 roads earlier this year.
In January, a Wirral Council environment committee unanimously approved the new zones on more than 1,700 roads that form part of a wider strategy aiming to get the number of people killed or seriously injured on roads down to zero by 2040.
Heswall Primary pupils win regional Green Education Award for climate project
The children of Heswall Primary School have been named Regional Champions of the Primary Awards for Green Education in Schools (PAGES) 2023.
Their project “A Climate In Chaos” not only took top spot in the ‘Green Creators’ category but was also declared the best project from all schools in northern England.
The Primary Awards for Green Education in Schools is a competition for primary schools in the UK, devised and organised by environmental education charity the Young People’s Trust for the Environment.
Paul O’Grady mural by local artist taking shape
A Wirral artist behind a new Paul O’Grady mural said he’s honoured to pay tribute to the late star.
Brezaux is an artist based in Wallasey behind some of the street art in places like New Brighton. Commissioned by Peel L&P, he is nearly finished painting a mural of the late Paul O’Grady.
A legendary entertainer, Mr O’Grady was born in Tranmere and died suddenly on 28 March prompting a huge outpouring of love and tributes from across the country and beyond.
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Wirral Waters’ residents fear people could drown in docks
Wirral Waters’ first residents are worried people could drown outside their house because of the lack of fencing.
Arthur and Doreen Shaw moved into Redbridge Quay in December 2022, becoming the first residents of the multi-million pound investment by Peel L&P that plans to completely transform the docks.
Though they are very happy with their new home, Mr Shaw said he’s worried about the lack of a fence along the edge of the dock despite signs warning people of the deep water.
Wirral Way: A timeless place for recreation in natural beauty
The much-loved 12-mile Wirral Way, which opened to the public in 1973, is celebrating its 50th crowd-pleasing year.
Calday Grange Grammar School pupil, Adam Ravenscroft, is currently on a placement with Birkenhead News. He visited the Wirral Way to find out why people like it so much.
The story of the Wirral Way is a local classic. From serving as a key railway connecting West Kirby to Hooton, to becoming derelict and receiving a brand-new start at life. It has never failed to provide, and for that reason, many hold it close at heart.
Government cuts could mean years of delay for active travel infrastructure
Plans for a linked cycle network across Merseyside could be delayed for years after the government cut funding for new active travel infrastructure.
On 9 March, government ministers announced that funding for active travel infrastructure would be reduced from £308m to £100m over the next two years as part of £40bn spending commitment on roads, rail, and other infrastructure.
This announcement doesn’t affect any cycle lane funding the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has already received, but future bids could see far less money granted in the future as the general pot for England has been reduced by two-thirds.
Children’s HAF programme is back, bigger and better than ever
The Holiday Activities with Food (HAF) programme is back and better than ever, funded by the Department for Education and coordinated by Edsential on behalf Wirral Council.
With a massive 64 clubs across the area, children and young people aged between 5-16 can experience a variety of fun and exciting activities from graffiti art workshops to sports activities to cookery sessions.
In addition to this, all children will receive nutritious meals to stay nourished and energised throughout the programme, what’s more if you are eligible for free school meals the programme is completely free.
Prenton woman honoured with ‘Woman of the Year’ award
Cheshire Woman Awards has presented Ijeoma McDougall, a local magistrate, charity owner, and most of all a community hero, their highest honour; the Woman of the Year award.
From the north-east of Nigeria, to the north-west of England, Ije has cemented herself as a game-changer.
She runs the revolutionary Kairos Initiative, utilising her own experiences from a young age and her immense empathy to send aid to those in need in Nigeria, whilst also bridging the gap between donors and recipients.
Thousands of proposed homes could see Wirral completely change within a few years
Thousands of proposed homes could see the Wirral completely change over the next few years.
Wirral Council said it currently has a target of building 13,160 homes as part of its draft local plan with sites earmarked for more than 16,000 homes in total.
A major development policy under government inspection, the local plan looks to preserve Wirral’s greenbelt and only develop housing on brownfield land, land that has already been developed.
35 new hospitality jobs to be created at former Heswall police station
A North West brewery and pub retailer has acquired premises in Heswall and is set to open a new pub restaurant that will create at least 35 jobs.
Salford-based Hydes Brewery has acquired the building in Heswall on Telegraph Road, which will see the conversion of the town’s former police station into a premium dining and drinking establishment.
Hydes has also chosen to name the pub ‘The Harry Beswick’ in honour of the original architect of the building.
Talks being held over trialling return of night buses
Talks are being held over whether to trial the return of night buses to Merseyside.
This follows calls from nighttime businesses for the buses to return who say a lack of transport is turning places like Wirral into “inaccessible islands” at night and hurting Merseyside’s local economy.
Late-night bus services between Liverpool and Wirral were removed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wirral resident named ‘Woman to Watch’ at Merseyside Women of the Year Awards
Wirral community activist, Lucky Ali, has been named ‘Woman to Watch’ at the Merseyside Women of the Year (MWOTY) Awards 2023.
Lucky was recognised at the ceremony at the Crowne Plaza Liverpool on Friday 30 June, for her extensive list of achievements, which include setting up a family-run business in Birkenhead providing a large variety of British and International food and grocery items and bridging a gap in the local market, proposing solutions for recruiting diverse talent that have already been implemented by Ashfield Health, and volunteering at Human Appeal on fundraising and events, including for Feed the Fasting 2020 and The Water Charity.
The overall ‘Woman of the Year’ award went to Halle O’Brien CIC founders, Heather Evans and June Russell, while Knowsley Chamber CEO and former High Sheriff of Merseyside, Lesley Martin-Wright JP DL was recognised with an inaugural MWOTY Fellowship award.
Wirral Police weekly news round-up
This is the birkenhead.news weekly round-up of police activity in and around Wirral during the previous seven days.
What’s On? Guide
Visit our “What’s On?” guide for Wirral and the surrounding areas in the coming weeks.
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