NW business briefs:  Merseyrail; Arriva; Freedom Fibre; Porsche Centre Preston; Car Finance 247

Merseyrail customers travelling on the Southport line will need to check journey planners during a period of planned engineering work in October, with a rail replacement bus service in operation for 10 days between Formby and Southport on the network, as Network Rail undertakes planned engineering works.

Track renewal, including upgrading signalling systems, will be taking place from Saturday, October 5, to Monday, October 14. The rail replacement bus service will operate between Southport and Formby, calling at all stations. Trains will be running between Formby and Liverpool Central.

Journey times will be extended during the works and customers travelling on this part the network during this period, are advised to check service times before they travel. A normal timetable will be in operation from the start of service on Tuesday, October 15.

Neil Grabham, Managing Director of Merseyrail, said: “I’d like to apologise to customers for this disruption to services. However, it is important that Network Rail are able to complete these works and ensure the infrastructure is fit for the future.

“Merseyrail work hard with Network Rail to ensure that planned engineering has a minimal impact on our train services. However, on some occasions disruption to customers is unavoidable.

“I would urge customers to check the journey planner on the Merseyrail website or the Merseyrail app to get the latest timetable information.”

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Bus operator, Arriva, has increased the frequency of its 86A bus service which operates between Liverpool city centre and Liverpool John Lennon Airport, with a service now operating every 7-8 minutes, doubling the number of services on the route.

The 86A is also one of two Arriva services that operate on a route from the city centre to the airport which calls at Liverpool South Parkway rail interchange. As a consequence, airport passengers using a host of rail services to Liverpool South Parkway from across the city region, the North West and beyond, will now wait no more than 7-8 minutes for an onward connection to the airport.

As well as improving access to the airport for passengers, the 86A is an important service for employees based at the airport, too, with the increased frequency helping to make public transport a more attractive travel to work option.

Robin Tudor, Head of PR & Communications for LJLA, said: “We work closely with our transport partners to look at ways to make public transport access for our passengers and our employees more attractive and we are, therefore, delighted to see the increased frequency on the important 86A service.

“The many new airline operations from the airport over the past 18 months means more and more passengers are now choosing to fly from Liverpool and Arriva’s continued commitment to their airport services will further enhance the transport options for airport users traveling locally by bus, or from further afield by rail via Liverpool South Parkway.”

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Neil McArthur

Neil McArthur, co-founder and CEO of Irlam-based Freedom Fibre, is one of 71 leading figures in the engineering and technology fields to be elected as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Following its AGM on September 17, 2024, the Royal Academy of Engineering announced the group consisting of 60 Fellows, six International Fellows and five Honorary Fellows, each of whom has made exceptional contributions to their own sector, pioneering new innovations, leading progress in business or academia, providing high level advice to government, or promoting wider understanding of engineering and technology.

Neil McArthur said: “I am honoured to have been elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.

“Throughout my career in telecoms and through my work founding the Hamilton Davies Trust, I have been a passionate advocate of creating a sustainable and inclusive society and hope to continue this work through the variety of opportunities the fellowship presents.” 

Through this fellowship Neil has committed to providing expert advice, directing the Academy’s activities through committees and steering groups, mentoring awardees, promoting and advancing engineering excellence and technology innovation, and more.

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Daniel Docherty, left, and Hugh Duckworth

Porsche Centre Preston has renewed its sponsorship of Preston Grasshoppers Mini and Junior teams, continuing to support youth rugby until April 2025.

The partnership will see Porsche Centre Preston’s name continue to be featured on the kits of more than 500 young players aged five to 16 at Preston Grasshoppers. This is the third consecutive year that Porsche has supported the teams.

Daniel Docherty, retail manager at Porsche Centre Preston, said: “We are thrilled to continue our support for Preston Grasshoppers. It’s a fantastic local club that has inspired many young people to participate in rugby. Many of our customers and staff are rugby enthusiasts, and we believe in giving back to the community.”

Under the leadership of Hugh Duckworth, Preston Grasshoppers Mini Juniors has seen significant growth over the past 30 years, expanding from 70 to more than 500 young players.

Hugh Duckworth, Preston Grasshoppers Chairman, said: “Support from local businesses like Porsche Centre Preston is invaluable, especially when we can nurture that relationship over consecutive years. We are grateful for their continued backing in promoting rugby development in Preston.”

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Manchester Youth Zone

Manchester-based Car Finance 247 has been a key supporter of Manchester Youth Zone (MYZ) in Harpurhey, North Manchester since 2018, and this week the company, together with the charity, has launched #247MatchWeek, where the business has pledged to match any funds raised by businesses and individuals during the week  – up to the value of £75,000.

The event is set to take place  from October 7-13 and Car Finance 247 is calling for businesses and individuals to get involved, from cake sales, to sponsored walks, tough mudders or company-wide pyjama days, or simply a donation. 

The team from Car Finance 247 visited Manchester Youth Zone to launch the initiative alongside some of the young people on their recently renovated basketball court. 

Reg Rix, CEO  of Car Finance 247, said: “We wanted to increase awareness of Manchester Youth Zone, and we thought a Match funding campaign was a great way to encourage people to get involved in whatever way they can. We’ll be excited to see what ideas some of our partners come up with for #247MatchWeek.”

Heather Etheridge, CEO of Manchester Youth Zone, said:” Car Finance 247 has been instrumental in developing our employability programme, which is a dedicated programme that encourages young people to learn more about career opportunities available to them and provides them with valuable tools to help them prepare for a career. It is great that they are now helping us to spread the word about Manchester Youth Zone within their wider networks.”