Having studied the plans for the new Morrisons supermarket (see last Newsletter) we wrote to the City Council welcoming the scheme in principle, but suggesting the need for a further and more direct pedestrian link between the new store and the existing Belle Vale Shopping Centre. The Planning Officer agreed with us, and we are pleased to say that the plans have now been modified accordingly. We did not pursue our earlier objection to the loss of the landscaped area in Besford Road, because the plans include a complete refurbishment of the existing car park, and fairly lavish planting around the entire perimeter of the site.

Meanwhile Wilkinsons - the well-known hardware/discount store - will shortly be taking over from Tesco within the main shopping mall, and work has begun on the building of the new McDonalds drive-through restaurant on Childwall Valley Road.

Temporary classrooms and a car park were built on part of Gateacre Comp's sports field, at the north end of Grange Lane, over two years ago, Now that the new, permanent school buildings are ready for use, we look forward to the restoration of the site to its original state, in accordance with the planning permission.

At the request of some of our Lee Park members, we asked Merseytravel why the 89 bus could not pick up and set down passengers in Gateacre Brow. Although there has been a bus stop right outside the Chapel (and another by the Black Bull) for many years, it was reserved for the H24 service - withdrawn about 15 years ago! - and people attending the Chapel had to walk to and from the stops in Belle Vale Road. We were pleased to receive a reply stating that, in future, drivers would be told to observe the Gateacre Brow stops; and this has recently been confirmed by the installation of timetable panels.