Sefton Council approves planning for improved travel to Southport

Southport Eastern Access is one of the major highway projects in Sefton. It will improve travel into and out of Southport and around the Norwood area.

With Phase 1 of the Southport Eastern Access scheme approaching completion, Phase 2 is due to start this year.

This next phase will see a major changes around Kew Roundabout and the opening Foul Lane to traffic. These improvements will make walking and cycling by Kew Roundabout safer with the introduction of signalised crossings.

Additionally, the works will improve access to the retail park through opening Foul Lane to traffic. This improves access to shopping and leisure opportunities.

Phase 1 - Norwood Road junctions

Phase 1 of the scheme involves improvements at the Bispham Road and Sussex Road junctions. This work improves capacity at the junction for motorists will help prevent nearby residential streets being used as rat runs. This change, which makes those surrounding streets quieter, safer and more pleasant places to be, especially benefiting local schools.

Social Value

The benefits also include the social value delivered supporting the local community, providing local jobs and giving opportunities to young people in Sefton. This leaves a long-lasting impact.

Throughout Phase 1 of the scheme, contractor Balfour Beatty spent 78 hours engaging with local learners and spent 70 hours volunteering in Sefton.

The scheme has also created new roles for local people, provided opportunities for care leavers through paid work experience placements and provided career mentoring to unemployed residents to help them move closer to sustainable employment.

Phase 2 - Kew Roundabout and Foul Lane

As well as benefiting people driving in Southport, Phase 2 of the Southport Eastern Access scheme improves walking and cycling in the area through improved crossings and pathways.

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Cabinet Member for Skills, Economy and Regeneration:

“This is good news for everyone, including those who don’t drive and those who would rather just walk or cycle around their local area.

“We are delivering infrastructure changes that support people to be able to choose to walk, wheel or cycle if they wish, in a way that is accessible for all.

Phase 2 changes

“Improvements to Kew Roundabout, which people tell us they are genuinely scared crossing with small children, will benefit pedestrians in the area, particularly pupils from the local school.

“The new signalised and segregated cycling and pedestrian crossings will make a huge difference and increase the safety of those young people who are walking or cycling to school.”

These changes are about improving travel for everyone in the area. It is also about planning for the future. With proposed new housing in the area, the Council is improving junction capacities as making sure the necessary infrastructure is in place for the future.

Cllr Daren Veidman, Cabinet Member for Housing and Highways said:

“Many people like to be able to walk or cycle to their local park, shops or school or workplace and really feel happier and fitter doing so. With additional climate benefits to leaving the car at home for short journeys, it really is a win win.”

Trees

With works on Phase 2 due to start this year, vegetation and tree clearance on Foul Lane will be taking place during the coming winter months. This will ensure it does not affect bird nesting season.

The winter season is also a time for introducing new trees and the Council is planting over 70 in the area. This includes the replacement of trees removed from local streets during Phase 1.

Cllr Veidman continued:

“We are all happier with more trees around and the Council avoids removing them where we can, but that isn’t always possible.

“However, we want to reassure people that as trees are removed, we are also putting them back where we can, leaving the streets nicer than we found it. We are doing this through replacing every tree removed with at least two for one new trees.

“Trees are a great addition to the street scene, they benefit wildlife, provide shade in the summer and simply enhance the look of the street.”

All species selected for planting are chosen carefully for their size and suitability for the environment.

Phase 2 works will be timed to ensure the minimum amount of disruption possible during times when Southport will be attracting visitors.

Sefton's Cabinet set to approve bold new plan to regenerate Bootle 22 December 2025

Sefton Council Cabinet members are being asked to approve the new Bootle Area Action Plan at their meeting on Thursday 8th January.

Shaped by input from the local community the proposed Plan is a blueprint for making Bootle a better place to live, work, and thrive. It will unlock exciting opportunities for local people and businesses.

The Bootle Area Action Plan sets the ambition and the planning framework through which we will deliver a revitalised town centre with the regeneration of Bootle Strand and the creation of vibrant spaces like Salt & Tar at its heart. It will facilitate new shops, leisure facilities, services and cultural events.

It will also enable a delivery programme of new modern, affordable homes for families and individuals and by attracting businesses and funding, the plan will create employment opportunities and boost the local economy.

A commitment to greener and safer streets sees walking, cycling, and public transport prioritised making it easier to get around, with reduced traffic and pollution. And measures ranging from energy-efficient buildings to water-saving systems will result in a cleaner, greener Bootle for future generations.

Cllr Paulette Lappin Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy and Skills, said:

“Adopting the Bootle Area Action Plan will help give developers and investors the certainty and confidence to bring projects to the town which will, in turn, mean growth and benefits such as new jobs, shops and services for local people.

“Jointly funded by Sefton Council and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, this Plan has been shaped through community consultation and feedback, and it has undergone rigorous examination by an independent Planning Inspector.”

“This is the first time Sefton Council has introduced an Area Action Plan, and it shows the commitment we have to Bootle’s regeneration and the ambition we have for the future of the town, its residents, businesses and communities.”

People can find out more and read the plan at www.sefton.gov.uk/BootleAAP.

Details of the next Sefton Council Cabinet meeting on Thursday 8th January can be found at https://modgov.sefton.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=139&MId=11860

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Tubi launches on Virgin Media TV, bringing its massive streaming catalogue to millions of UK households at no extra cost

Tubi is now available for Virgin Media TV customers to enjoy at no extra cost, as it further expands its reach in one of the world’s most dynamic streaming markets. 

LONDON, December 3, 2025 – Tubi (www.tubi.tv), Fox Corporation’s (NASDAQ: FOXA, FOX) ad-supported streaming service, today announced it is now available on Virgin Media TV in the UK, making its vast catalogue of over 60,000 movies and TV episodes accessible to millions more households, at no extra cost.

With the addition of Tubi, Virgin Media customers can now explore a wide range of content that includes everything from fan-favourites and deep-cut cult classics to major blockbusters – across all genres including action, thriller, comedy, and horror. A sample of titles available for viewers in December include Zombieland, Baby Driver, Bend it Like Beckham, Jack and Jill, Robin Hood (2018) and La La Land.

Additionally, audiences will be able to enjoy Tubi Originals such as the documentary NAOMI OSAKA: THE SECOND SET, Destry Allyn Spielberg’s directorial debut PLEASE DON’T FEED THE CHILDREN, starring Michelle Dockery and the hit sensations SIDELINED: THE QB AND ME, as well as its sequel SIDELINED 2: INTERCEPTED reuniting its stars Noah Beck, Siena Agudong, with Charlie Gillespie (Julie and the Phantoms), Sage Linder (Descendants 3) and Roan Curtis (Firefly Lane) joining the cast, as well as James Van Der Beek (Pose) and Drew Ray Tanner (Riverdale) reprising their roles from the original film.

“Our partnership with Virgin Media enables us to connect more UK viewers with free movies and TV series they’re passionate about,” said Ross Appleton, General Manager, UK, at Tubi. “As a platform known for curating top-tier entertainment, Virgin Media is an ideal home for Tubi’s expansive catalogue. Together, we’re offering audiences greater choice through a seamless and easily accessible TV experience.”

David Bouchier, Chief TV and Entertainment Officer at Virgin Media O2, said: “Our goal at Virgin TV is to curate high quality entertainment and world-leading programming for our customers. We do this so they can enjoy the best viewing experience with the best possible value. We are delighted therefore to add Tubi to our offering, giving Virgin TV customers access to one of the world’s biggest offerings of world-famous movies, TV shows and documentaries at absolutely no extra cost. With Tubi, we know families can immerse themselves in even more must-see on demand entertainment on the Virgin TV platform.”

Since launching in July of 2024 in the UK, Tubi has doubled its library size, securing its position offering the biggest collection of free movies and TV series in the market. Tubi’s global footprint continues to expand, with over 100 million monthly active users worldwide and its growing share of fully addressable audience skewing younger with more than half made up of Gen Z and Millennials. While more than 95% of viewing on Tubi is on–demand movies and TV shows, it most recently launched over 30 FAST Channels with key partners such as Lionsgate, A&E, Banijay, and Filmrise, to offer viewers a complementary lean-back experience.

About Tubi

Boldly built for fandom, Tubi is a free streaming service that entertains over 100 million monthly active users. Tubi offers the world’s largest collection of Hollywood movies and TV shows, thousands of creator-led stories and hundreds of Tubi Originals made for the most passionate fans. Headquartered in San Francisco and founded in 2014, Tubi is part of Tubi Media Group, a division of Fox Corporation.

About Virgin Media O2

Virgin Media O2 launched on 1 June 2021, combining the UK’s largest and most reliable mobile network with a broadband network offering the fastest widely available broadband speeds. It is a customer-first organisation that brings a range of connectivity services together in one place with a clear mission: to upgrade the nation. Virgin Media O2 is the corporate brand of the 50:50 joint venture between Liberty Global and Telefónica SA, and one of the UK’s largest businesses.

The company has 47 million UK connections across broadband, mobile, TV and home phone. Its own fixed network currently passes 15.5 million premises alongside a mobile network that covers 99% of the nation’s population with 4G, and almost 200 towns and cities with 5G services. Virgin Media O2 is committed to delivering gigabit broadband speeds across its entire network footprint by the end of 2021 and plans to upgrade its fixed network to full fibre to the premises with completion in 2028.

Virgin Media O2 is a major investor in the UK. It employs around 18,000 people, has more than 430 retail stores and has committed to invest at least £10 billion over the next five years. As integration work progresses at pace, both Virgin Media and O2 continue to offer their respective products to customers, with new, joint services launching soon. Today, the business delivers award-winning broadband and WiFi connectivity to homes as well as providing a connected entertainment service. This brings together live TV, thousands of hours of on-demand programming and a wide-selection of apps to customers through a set-top box and on-the-go through tablets and smartphones.

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New Forensic Science Regulator appointed for England and Wales

The regulator ensures that the highest standards in forensic science are met across the criminal justice system.

Dr Marc Bailey has been appointed as the Forensic Science Regulator for England and Wales.

Dr Bailey is a scientist who has significant regulatory experience. He has held multiple roles within the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and led international research in quality systems and standardisation, including whilst working at the National Physical Laboratory.

The Forensic Science Regulator is responsible for ensuring that the provision of forensic science services across England and Wales meet the highest standards of quality and integrity. This includes assessing compliance, providing advice to ministers, setting quality standards and ensuring that all forensic science providers adhere to these standards.

Dr Bailey will work closely with the police, forensic science providers and the legal profession to ensure that forensic science in England and Wales remains at the forefront of innovation and reliability.

Dr Bailey will officially assume his duties after Gary Pugh’s term concludes on 25 July 2025.

Crime and Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson said:

Dr Bailey is going to bring a wealth of experience and expertise as the new Forensic Science Regulator.

This pivotal role is essential in ensuring the highest standards of forensic science are upheld.

By setting rigorous standards and providing robust oversight, the Forensic Science Regulator will continue to ensure that forensic science supports the work of the police, allowing them to investigate crimes and bring justice for victims.

I’d like to thank Gary Pugh for his previous work in this role.

Dr Bailey said:

I am delighted to be appointed to the post of Forensic Science Regulator.

I look forward to enacting and developing the regulation of Forensic Science and working with the team that support my role to ensure that the criminal justice system has full confidence in forensic science evidence.