Headlines and reports on this page = 3 news items.    Page - 2.

Festival Park vision is unveiled

A VISION for the former International Festival Gardens site in Liverpool has been unveiled by Mayor Joe Anderson at IFB 2016. Architects K2 have presented an outline for a new cultural garden suburb; Festival Park; incorporating:-

► Improved formal gardens with new public realm and landscaped areas.

► Major cultural venues and independent retailers and restaurants.

► Fisheries and wildlife areas in the Southern Grasslands.

► Creation of new inlets and docks.

► A waterpark.

It also raises the prospect of the introduction of a Mersey Ferry landing stage and improved connection with the nearby St Michaels Merseyrail station.

It also outlines the possibility of a 'green' residential development of up to 3,000 properties which would be powered for the next 70 years using an energy cell which would remediate waste at the site.

Speaking on the Blue Skies stage at IFB 2016, Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said:- "We have a bold and ambitious vision for the Festival Park. It is a site which has languished without being properly developed for far too long, but we are determined for it to achieve its potential and become a major destination the entire City Region can be proud of.  We are at the start of a long term project to deliver a first class visitor and cultural destination with limited residential development on part of the site.  Over the coming months we will be involving partners and local residents and getting their ideas and feedback. This is a site which very many people are very fond of, and it is vital that we take our time in getting this right."

Kevin Horton, Architects Director for K2, said:- "When we were approached to create a vision for the former festival gardens, we asked ourselves, how can we create long term sustainable value on 1 of the City's most challenging sites? By transforming its legacy of problems into worthwhile opportunities we have created an ambitious vision for the waterfront that captures Liverpool's modern character. It is aspirational and confident which further cements the City's position as a desirable European destination."

Earlier this month, the Cabinet gave the go ahead to remediation work on nine acres of land adjacent to the Britannia Inn, seven acres of which could then be sold for a residential development. It is estimated that the sale of the land for housing would generate a net profit to the City Council, when allowing for the cost of treating the ground.

Contractors are also working on clearing overgrown vegetation on part of the site with a view to using it as events space during the summer months, ahead of remediation starting in the autumn.

Lancashire tobacco smuggler's payback time

A Lancashire man caught smuggling illegal cigarettes and tobacco into the UK, has been ordered to pay back £240,000, of which £90,000 must be paid within three months, or he will face a further 18 months in jail.

Peter Robinson, 70, and his son, Adam, both of Rossendale, were jailed in June 2015 after HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) investigators linked them to 109 illegal postal imports of cigarettes and tobacco.

Zoe Ellerbeck, Assistant Director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said:- "We are determined to recover stolen Tax from criminals who deprive the UK of vital funds. HMRC has disrupted a criminal network that thought they were above the law; they were wrong, and Friday confiscation order shows that we don't stop once someone has been jailed, our actions continue until we have deprived them of their criminal profits. Anyone with information about the illegal trade in smuggled cigarettes and tobacco should contact our Hotline on:- 0800 59 5000."

The investigation found that the Robinsons and an accomplice had been involved in a major smuggling scam, sending illicit tobacco goods by parcel post from Spain, Poland, Luxemburg, Germany and Belgium to addresses in the north of England, to evade UK taxes.

The pair were caught at UK Customs controls in Coquelles, France, in 2011. Paperwork for 26 parcels was discovered hidden in the roof lining of their car. When the parcels of tobacco and cigarettes were intercepted in the UK post, forensic evidence linked them all to the Robinsons. The HMRC investigation found more than 109 parcels had been sent by the gang between 2009 and 2011.

Before their trial could begin, the Robinsons left the UK for Spain. Warrants were issued for their arrest and they were extradited to the UK in 2014 to face charges of conspiracy to smuggle and the illegal importation of tobacco products on which UK duty had not been paid. In June 2015, the father and son were jailed for 30 months each and confiscation proceedings focused on the family assets. If Peter Robinson does not pay the confiscation order he will have to serve additional time in jail.

Meet tomorrow's Civil Engineers – 14th Southport (St James' Birkdale) Brownies

THE Civil Engineering Contractors' Association NW (CECA NW) has reacted to the skills shortages facing the industry by supporting a group of 27 Brownies who have chosen to undertake a Civil Engineering Challenge. The Challenge was developed by Pippa Higgins, a Guider and Civil Engineer, and involves Brownies undertaking a series of exercises from designing water runs to project management to complete the Challenge and receive a badge to commemorate the achievement. CECA NW has provided the funding to buy a resource pack, containing all of the equipment they need. It is all about showing the diversity of careers in civil engineering, and how they make a difference to the world. The Resource Pack will be available on loan to Girlguiding units within the County of Sefton to reach out and inspire as many girls as possible. Commented Guider Linda Seal:- "Our Brownies are about to start working towards achieving the Civil Engineering badge, and are really looking forward to it. Many thanks to CECA NW for supporting us with this initiative." Guy Lawson, Director of CECA NW, added:- "We are really encouraged by the enthusiasm shown by the Brownies. This bodes well for the future of civil engineering in the region, and we hope that some will now think of this as a future career. There's certainly much more to it than the traditional image of wellies and wheelbarrows!"