Police release CCTV image after teenage girl touched inappropriately; Freshfield / Formby

POLICE Officers from British Transport Police (BTP) have released an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with an indecent assault on a teenage girl on Tuesday, 26 June 2013. PC Ian Williamson, investigating the incident explained:- "The victim, a 17 year old girl from the local area, was on the Liverpool bound platform at around 6.50pm. A man got off a Southport to Liverpool service at the station and, as he walked past the victim, touched her indecently before walking out of the station." Officers are carrying out several lines of enquiry and have now released an image of a man they believe could assist with their investigation. PC Williamson continued:- "The young victim was understandably left shaken by the experience and we are determined to find the man responsible. Although the image isn't as clear as we might wish, we believe that people may recognise the man's distinctive clothing, which includes a two tone hoody and a green backpack."  Anyone with information should contact British Transport Police by calling:- 0800 40 50 40 or text:- 61016 quoting:- B6/NWA of:- 16/07/2013. Alternatively, information can be passed to the independent charity, Crimestoppers, anonymously on:- 0800 555 111.

Euro MP candidate predicts U-turn stampede

PETER Cranie, who is the Green Euro MP candidate for the North West of England, has predicted that the trickle of U-turns on HS2 will turn into a stampede in the next few months. This follows reports that the cost of HS2 has leapt a further £10 billion. Peter Cranie, who works in Skelmersdale, the second largest Town in the UK without access to a rail station, believes growing opposition will force the cancellation of the project within the next 2 years.  Peter Cranie said:- "HS2 was backed by politicians from Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives in a wave of euphoria about big infrastructure solving all of our economic problems. Only the Green Party stood against this project at the beginning. We pointed out then, as we do now, that this money would be far better spent on local transport infrastructure. We have already wasted more than £250 million on this project. How many millions or billions will this coalition government spend before it will recognises it has got it wrong? Peter Mandelson's U-turn in his support for HS2 is just the start of a stampede, as politicians from all sides recognise this is will be a monumental waste of money that will benefit only very rich business commuters. I fully expect many other politicians to reverse their position on this issue, despite having voted it through in Parliament." The Greens are clear that they do not simply want to see the money go unspent. The right infrastructure projects can create jobs and help revive the regional economy. In the North West, the restoration of the Halton Curve and connecting up Skelmersdale to the rail network are 2 projects that should be prioritised.

Letters to the Editor:- "Southport Open Top Bus Tours"

ON 17 July 2013, Andy Rigby has told the:- "I am pleased to announce that the Merseyside Transport Trust will be running open top tours of Southport on summer Sundays for 2nd year. After a successful and popular 1st year we are going to be operating tours from Sunday, 28 July 2013, through to 25 August 2013, and also on August Bank Holiday Monday, 26 August 2013. Due to demand, there is an extra timetabled departure this year with tours running at 1200, 1300, 1400 and 1500. Starting from the traditional location of Southport Pier, the tours will operate as a free-of-charge circular service taking in the sights of Southport, on a tour that has proved a popular tourist attraction for many decades. These tours will be provided entirely by volunteers. After a very popular 1st year the, the tours are to be operated using historic Leyland Atlanteans that have been operating these tours in past years and are now in preservation; 1449 (GKA 449L) and 1551 (OLV 551M). A closed top vehicle will be substituted in adverse weather conditions. The tours take in such beautiful Southport attractions as the Marine Lake, Marine Bridge, Royal Birkdale Golf Course, Hesketh Park, Lord Street Boulevard and the Botanic Gardens." For more information, consult the MTT's website at:- mttrust.co.uk.