Latest news with #Wirral
BBC News
a day ago
- Business
- BBC News
Wirral leader says 'nothing swept under carpet' in regeneration probe
"Nothing will be hidden" from investigators probing a council's troubled regeneration programmes, its leader has said. Paula Basnett, who became leader of Wirral Council in May, announced an internal investigation of the Birkenhead town centre project early into her regeneration works in the town are behind schedule and over budget, with the council expected to borrow £8m to cover a rise in costs to £24m. Ms Basnett, who is a councillor for Rock Ferry, said the council needed to get a grip on the situation. "I do think that we have to understand why it's been delayed and why there was an overspend. Our residents are entitled and should be made aware," Basnett said."I walk up Grange Road and I see the work taking place. I see the impact it's having on our businesses. I see the impact it's having on our residents."They want to be able to enjoy shopping and browsing around the shops." The Local Democracy Reporting Service said the works, taking place across the entire town centre, were £2.8m over budget the day a contract was were so concerned that on 21 July they decided not to approve any further funding until investigations had said on her election as leader that improving neighbourhoods, sorting out the council's finances, and getting regeneration back on track were her three main priorities."I won't be brushing anything under the carpet," she said."[The investigation] will be open and transparent. We will be holding officers to account."Our residents are entitled to hear what has been going on and I fully appreciate that once we do have those findings, it will be out in the public domain."The findings are expected later this year. Basnett said she hoped the outcome of a wider review would set out realistic timelines and costs, allowing councillors to prioritise projects. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
4 days ago
- BBC News
Seaside stories sought for map to celebrate coastal gems
People are being asked for special memories and images of their favourite coastal landmarks to add to an interactive map celebrating the country's seaside England's map already features coastal gems such as the Art Deco Midland Hotel in Morecambe, Lancashire, and Blackpool Pleasure Beach's Big Dipper Fort Perch Rock, built between 1825 and 1829 as a coastal defence battery to protect the Port of Liverpool in Wallasey, Wirral, is also England is inviting contributions including photographs, drawings, text or audio for its Missing Pieces project, which helps tell the story of coastal places that hold a special place in people's hearts. The map celebrates nearly 300 years of seaside history, from the Grade II-listed Big Dipper rollercoaster to the Grade I-listed Blackpool Tower buildings as well as the Winter Gardens in Morecambe which first opened in 1897 and the nearby Midland Hotel. It also includes the Grade II*-listed Fort Perch Rock, which is now home to a maritime and aviation museum, and Grade II-listed Seacombe Ferry Terminal in Wirral. People are encouraged to submit photographs, drawings, written information or audio recordings about their cherished coastal Minister Baroness Twycross urged everyone to contribute to the project "to preserve the history of our coastal towns and breathe new life into their future".Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said the full richness of the country's seaside heritage "cannot be captured without the first-hand accounts, images and memories of those who've experienced them". Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
The Independent
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Brian Harman to continue his ‘very boring approach' in bid for second Open title
Former Open champion Brian Harman claims the name of the venue may have changed but his game is the same as he seeks to replicate his 2023 Claret Jug victory. The American left-hander was a six-stroke winner at Hoylake two years ago and he replicated that form at Royal Portrush with a six-under second round of 65. It earned him a share of the eight-under lead with China's Haotong Li, who took 32 holes to register his only bogey of the championship, and Sheffield's Matt Fitzpatrick, through 11, and brought back memories of his performance on the Wirral where he went top of the leaderboard on Friday and never relinquished his grip. Back then he established a five-shot cushion after the second day, but there was no such luxury in Northern Ireland as he has Li and the former US Open champion for company, with world number one Scottie Scheffler lurking ominously a shot behind after nine holes of his second round. Masters champion and world number two Rory Mcllroy is only five behind on a course where he shot 61 as a 16-year-old. 'They're very different golf courses, but the golf is similar,' said Harman, whose pledge to take a 'boring' approach will be familiar with fans who witnessed his performance at Royal Liverpool where his brilliant putting got the job done with very few fireworks elsewhere. 'I'll approach the weekend the same way. The only thing I'm really worried about is the first tee ball tomorrow and then I'll try to hit the next one up there close to the flag. 'If not, go to the second hole. It's a very boring approach that I take. 'I'm not trying to be heroic or do anything crazy. I know that I've got the game to do it, and it's just a matter of executing and staying in my own head. 'I would love to have a similar weekend and just play great the whole way through.' World number 111 Li finished third in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, comfortably his best performance in 13 previous majors, but he has missed the cut in his last three Open appearances. He had five birdies in his first 12 holes – narrowly missing an ace at the sixth – to go clear at nine under but after his dropped shot he holed a crucial 22-foot putt for par at the 17th. McIlroy is targeting a weekend hot streak as he seeks to make up for a missed opportunity in front of a home crowd at Royal Portrush. Six years ago he failed to make the cut, but this time around a 69 left him three under. Since 1970, 89 per cent of Open winners have been within four of the lead after 36 holes so McIlroy will have to buck that trend but he is feeling good about his game. 'I maybe could be a couple closer to the lead but overall in a decent position heading into the weekend,' he said. 'I didn't have this opportunity six years ago, so to play an extra two days in this atmosphere in front of these crowds, I'm very excited for that.' McIlroy was cheered all the way down the 18th in the heaviest rain of the week, which was a bonus for him but not the afternoon starters like world number one Scottie Scheffler who was just teeing off the first. But the weather eased up and Scheffler, the US PGA champion, rattled off three successive birdies from the fifth to get to seven under. Tyrrell Hatton, in the group at five under after a round of 69, said: 'I'd like to be in the fairway more this weekend and hitting it a bit closer but we'll see how we go.' Ryder Cup team-mate Robert MacIntyre joined him with a 66 after dropping just one shot.
BBC News
16-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Measles vaccine push as case confirmed in Wirral
People in Wirral are being urged to make sure they are vaccinated against measles after it was confirmed a young child is ill with the first known case in the area this Sunday a child died at Liverpool's Alder Hey Hospital after contracting the authorities across Merseyside are now encouraging people to make sure their children have received both doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) director of public health Dave Bradburn said work was taking place to limit the potential spread of the virus after the new case was identified. "There has been an increase across Cheshire and Merseyside over the last few months," he said."This is the first case that we have been notified of in Wirral this year."Measles is a highly contagious disease which is spread by coughs and Bradburn encouraged parents to be aware of symptoms include high fever; sore, red and watery eyes; coughing; and white spots may also appear inside the mouth.A blotchy red or brown rash usually appears after a few days, typically on the face and behind the ears, before spreading. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Yahoo
Emergency services surround beach following 'concern for safety'
Emergency services descended on a beach in Wirral this evening following reports of a concern for safety. Merseyside Police were called to Fort Perch Rock, Marine Promenade in New Brighton shortly before 9pm on Tuesday, July 15. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, RNLI and HM Coastguard were also in attendance. The person was later found "safe and well", an incident manager for the force confirmed. An eyewitness reported seeing a "huge emergency services presence" at the scene, including three fire engines, police and an ambulance. A spokesperson for HM Coastguard confirmed it was "assisting police with an incident". READ MORE: New Chester Road live updates as child hit by bus READ MORE: Dad bursts into tears as he admits killing his four-year-old son A spokesperson for Mersey Fire added: "Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) attended an incident at Marine Promenade, New Brighton on the evening of Tuesday 15th July. "Crews were alerted at 21.09 and on scene at 21.20, with three fire engines, the search and rescue team and rescue boat Marine Fire One attending. "We were assisting Merseyside Police and HM Coastguard and left the scene at 21.53." For the latest news and breaking news visit Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you by signing up to our daily and breaking newsletter. Sign up to our breaking news newsletter here. Follow us on Twitter @LivECHONews - the official Liverpool ECHO Twitter account - real news in real time. We're also on Facebook/theliverpoolecho - your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Liverpool ECHO.
