Rail Travel Update for July 2008 - prepared 6th June - The lines through Rugby are currently scheduled to be closed on Saturday and Sunday through to the end of August.  Rail travel to London is best avoided - the alternative routes are awkward and add a couple of hours to the journey.  Don't even think of planning a day trip without checking whether the situation has changed.

The much publicised 'new and simpler' fare structure has had little effect on Parbold rail users. The range of advance return fares with various conditions which has disappeared were rarely relevant, and the prices and availability of advance single fares remains as unpredictable as ever. With operators having to decide when they want to encourage and discourage travel, through advance tickets tend to be hard to find. Even to London it may be advantageous - or otherwise - to buy tickets to and beyond Wigan. A journey to the SW can involve 5 different operators - a saver with Virgin to Birmingham (valid at peak times for Railcard holders) and an Advance X-Country ticket beyond often proves the best option.

.Any suggestions for additional material to David Gelder, Tel. 01257 462716

FOR MORETRAVEL INFORMATION - TRAINS, FERRIES AND PLANES SEE 'BEST TRAVEL WEBSITE:'   The Man in Seat 61

FOR LIFT SHARING SEE : LIFTSHARE.COM (Shortlisted for an Energy Saving Trust

Community Action Award.  45,000,000 miles of unnecessary road travel now saved annually

FREE HOME SAFETY CHECKS by Lancashire Fire Rescue Service, available - plus FREE SMOKE ALARMS FITTED IF NEEDED.   TEL 0800 1691125     www.lancsfirerescue.org.uk

Batteries and also Cartridges for recycling can be taken to the Parbold DIY Centre 

Clean, squashed aluminum cans are being collected at Parbold Fruit and Veg for the Guides/Scouts 'Hut on the Hill' appeal

Tetrapak cartons (fruit juices, milk etc) can now be recycled in Tesco car parks and at Abbey Lane Recycling centre in Burscough
 

ROUND O QUARRY, COBBS BROW LANE, NEWBURGH -  To lodge a complaint  the following contacts should be used:
Mud on the road or Highway problems: Lancashire Highways Customer Service Centre 0845 0530011 (Mon-Fri 9 am to 5 pm.
Environmental or Planning issues:  Mr G Harding, Executive Director of Environment, Lancashire County Council, PO Box 9, Guild House, Cross Street, Preston.  PR1 8RD
Problems with Quarry vehicles - Inglenorth are the main users, but other Companies may also be involved.
Inglenorth Ltd. Unit 138, Bradley Hall Trading Estate, Bradley Lane, Standish, Wigan.  WN6 0XQ
Accidents and dangerous conditions:  Contact southern Command Police Operations Room. Tel: 0845 1253545Please provide specific details.  Ask for a response.  Keep notes and a copy of what action you have taken. Keep Newburgh Parish Council informed as appropriate - Clerk Mr B Howard 01257 462423 www.newburghlancs.co.uk
 

HEALTH MATTERS:  Parbold Surgery now has a new website at www.parboldsurgery.co.uk  On it patients can book appointments as well as view and request repeat prescriptions via a secure web browser. This means patients can now book appointments when the phone lines are closed or busy.
You can even use it via an internet enabled mobile phone. Thus it should appeal to those of you finding it difficult to get through via phone or who have difficulty phoning during working hours. 
Accessing the secure web browser to book appointments requires a pre-arranged password available from our practice manager rita.hitchen@gp-p81096.nhs.uk
Each member of a family needs their own passwords.  At this time we are unable to issue passwords to children under the age of 16.
 NHS DIRECT - PHONE 0845 46 47 or see www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
MINOR INJURIES UNIT (including adults) - at Ormskirk and District General Hospital provides a range of minor injury services, including XRAYS. HOURS: Weekdays 8 am to 8 pm Weekends and bank holidays: 9 am to 5 pm TELEPHONE: 01695 667865 THERE IS A BUS SERVICE FROM PARBOLD TO THE HOSPITAL.
WALK IN CENTRE, CONCOURSE SHOPPING CENTRE, SKELMERSDALE For minor injuries and illnesses - no appointment necessary HOURS - Patients accepted up to 9 pm weekdays and 4 pm at weekends and Bank Holidays TELEPHONE: 01695 554260The rest of the website does not require a password.