22 September 2014
Merseylink opens second round of Time Bank scheme
Halton community organisations, local businesses, and schools are once again being invited to apply for specialist support through the Merseylink Time Bank.
Merseylink opened the second round of its Time Bank schemeon 15 September and will accept applications until 15 October 2014.
The construction consortium launched the Time Bank initiative earlier this year to provide practical help and support to directly benefit the communities of Halton.
Successful applicants receive expert advice from a relevant Merseylink partner. Expertise on offer includes financial, construction and engineering advice.
Five local organisations benefiting from the first round of Time Bank include West Bank Community Centre, Daresbury Primary School, Riverside College, Milner Church Institute and local charity, the Mersey Gateway Environmental Trust.
Hugh O'Connor, General Manager at Merseylink, said: "The Merseylink Time Bank initiative has been designed to provide long-term benefits to the people of Halton. I would strongly encourage anyone who feels they would benefit from the expertise on offer to get in touch with us and apply for assistance through the Time Bank scheme."
You can apply to the Time Bank scheme via the Mersey Gateway website -www.merseygateway.co.uk/merseylink/time-bank
For more information about the Merseylink Time Bank contact Neil Wilcock, Employment and Skills Coordinator, on 07773 806270 or email:neil.wilcock@merseylink.com
The economic, transport and social benefits the Mersey Gateway Project will bring to the region include:
- 470 permanent full-time equivalent jobs on site during construction
- 4,640 permanent direct and indirect jobs
- £61.9 million a year in Gross Value Added from the new jobs by 2030.
When it opens in 2017, both the new bridge and the Silver Jubilee Bridge will be tolled, but they will be free* to all residents.
Ends
For further information please contact Chris Sealey or Chris Taylor at DTW on 01287 610 404 / 07786 512 833 / 07949 287 356 or emailchris.sealey@dtw.co.ukorchris@dtw.co.uk.
Editors Notes:
About the project
The Mersey Gateway Project will be one of the largest infrastructure initiatives in the UK over the coming years. Last year Mersey Gateway was identified as one of the UK government's Top 40 priority projects in theNational Infrastructure Planand it has been recognised by KPMG as one of the‘Top 100 infrastructure projects around the globe'.
Its features will include:
- a 1,000m long cable stay bridge consisting of four spans supported from three towers in the estuary;
- a unique design where the 80m high central tower will be shorter than the two outer towers, which will be 110m (north tower) and 125m (south tower) ;
- a total length (including the bridge and approach viaducts) of 2.13km;
- a deck carrying six lanes of traffic (three in each direction) with a speed limit of 60mph;
- up to 30 supporting piers carrying it across the approach viaducts; and
- a curved approach at each end of the bridge giving varying views of its unique design and maximising its visual impact.
You can find out more about the project atwww.merseygateway.co.uk.
About the Merseylink consortium
The Merseylink Consortium was appointed by Halton Borough Council as the project company earlier this year on a 30-year contract to design, build, finance and operate the project.
Its equity partners are Macquarie Capital Group Limited, Bilfinger Berger Global Infrastructure, and FCC Construcción. The construction joint venture, made up of Kier Infrastructure and Overseas Limited, Samsung C&T Corporation and FCC Construcción S.A.
Sanef S.A. will deliver and operate the tolling solution for the consortium.