TRANSPORT INEQUALITY

HAVING read with interest the article with Cllr Robinson in the Runcorn Weekly News, January 25, could I please raise a couple of issues with him regard to the position of Halton residents in the Combined Authority region.

In the article he mentions the benefits of the ongoing Halton Curve upgrade works.

Whilst this may be of some benefit to Runcorn residents it does nothing for those in Widnes as there is not a station giving access to it.

The area gaining most from this is Liverpool itself with easier, quicker routes to and from Chester and North Wales therefore helping the city’s leisure trade.

Expansion of Merseytravel routes into Halton is mentioned

For well over 12 months we have, for some reason, had bus shelters painted in Merseytravel colours and also carrying its signage but without any of the benefits.

By this I refer to the fact that residents of Halton are in the only borough in the Combined Authority Region that does not benefit from senior persons travel passes at 60 years of age.

This anomaly has already been raised on my behalf by my MP Derek Twigg, yet still we await any progress.

He mentions the possibility of expansion of Merseyrail routes into the region’s southern end including Halton. If residents of Halton are not treated as equals I beg the question, what is the point?