Halton communities can benefit in 2025 through Time Bank community initiative

Community organisations in Halton are being encouraged to sign up for the charitable Time Bank scheme led by Merseylink and Merseyflow for free-of-charge expert help during 2025.
The Time Bank initiative aims to assist key organisations, including schools, colleges, charities, and community groups, by allowing Halton communities to benefit from the skills and expertise of the Merseylink and Merseyflow teams.
This innovative local support scheme, developed as part of the Mersey Gateway Project, has run since 2015 and will return for another year following a highly successful 2024.
Last year’s scheme provided support to Halton Haven Hospice to improve its Memory Garden, which involved weeding, cleaning, and a fresh coat of paint for the hospice’s surrounding areas.
The Halton Village Millennium Green Trust benefited from enhancements to the green, with assistance in clearing the bases of fruit trees, laying down weed-preventative membrane, and placement of bark chips on the membrane.
Community groups, charities, and voluntary organizations interested in applying for support from the Time Bank are requested to email info@merseylink.com for an application form.
A minimum of 30 days per year are committed through the Time Bank scheme, and assistance can include anything from regeneration activities, career advice, technical advice, general maintenance, painting, and litter picking, as well as any other suitable suggestions applicants can provide.
Karen Atherton, Merseylink Liaison Officer and Time Bank Lead said: “We’ve had an amazing response to our Time Bank initiative in the past, with incredible projects that truly benefit local charities and the Halton community. Our team is raring to go for 2025 and is excited to dive into new opportunities. We urge any organisation needing support to apply early and reach out to see how we can help.”
Emma Newton, Head of HR & Compliance at Merseyflow, said: “We’re proud to support the work of amazing local charities through the Time Bank initiative. Getting involved in community challenges brings our team together and provides the opportunity to engage with other volunteers and local charities. We’re excited to see what new projects we will be giving time to in 2025.”
Download your Timebank application form here
This year’s Time Bank is open for applications until Friday 28th March 2025. For more information, email info@merseylink.com.
Lane Closure Updates
Expansion joint works by the specialist contractor on the Northbound approach to the Mersey Gateway Bridge will commence at 9.30am on Saturday 6th April 2024 . Works are scheduled to be completed and all lanes closures removed by 5pm that evening. A temporary speed limit of 40mph will be in place adjacent to these works to provide the required safety zone for the workforce.
Lane Closure Update
The Silver Jubilee Bridge remains restricted to Northbound vehicles only ( Runcorn to Widnes) to alleviate congestion associated with the lane closures on the northern approach to the Mersey Gateway Bridge.
Emergancy Lane Closure Update
Expansion joint works by the specialist contractor on the northbound approach to the Mersey Gateway Bridge will commence at 9.30am on Saturday 6th April 2024 . Works are scheduled to be completed and all lanes closures removed by 5pm that evening.
Lane closures need to remain in place until these works have been completed and will result in increased congestion and delays, please allow extra time for any planned journeys.
Merseylink would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused by these traffic restrictions
Update on Repair works to Southbound Expansion Joint
Expansion joint works by the specialist contractor on the Southbound carriageway of the Mersey Gateway Bridge commenced at 7.20am this morning. Good progress is being reported and plans to commence the removal of the lane closures in place at 2pm this afternoon remain on schedule.