Salford residents who are heading to the polls this Thursday can make the most of free e-scooter rides.
With the General Election literally just a few days away now, and millions of people nationwide preparing to cast their all-important vote in what could be a historic political event, anyone who lives in Salford will be able to get themselves to their assigned polling station and back, all without having to pay a single penny.
That’s because Lime, which is the Greater Manchester city’s provider of shared e-scooters, has announced that it’s offering two free 15-minute rides on its vehicles this Thursday (4 July).
You can get FREE e-scooter rides to Salford polling stations on General Election day / Credit: gov.uk | Lime UKI
The initiative is part of its ‘Lime to the Polls’ programme – which initially launched back in 2018 – being run to support the national ‘Give an X’ youth campaign run by Shape History, #iWillMovement, and My Life My Say.
It comes after it was found that, shockingly, one in three young people in England are not registered to vote, and almost half (44%) of those aged 18-34 believe their vote won’t make a difference.
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The initiative is aiming to combat common barriers to voting – such as the cost of travel, or lack of car ownership, by providing riders with access to a complimentary mode of transport.
It’s part of Lime’s initiative aiming to combat common barriers to voting / Credit: gov.uk
On Election Day this Thursday, both new and existing riders in Salford will be able to redeem two free 15-minute rides in the Lime App, and all they’ll have to do is use the promotional code: UKELECTION2024.
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Alice Pleasant, who is the Public Affairs Manager at Lime UKI, says access to “affordable and convenient” transport options should “never be a barrier to voting”.
“Lime is delighted to be providing voters with free transport options to get to the voting booths,” she added.
“We’re proud to play our part in enabling Lime riders to get to the polls and participate in the upcoming General Election through our Lime to the Polls programme with the ‘Give an X’ campaign.”
Featured Image – Lime UKI
News
Hundreds of staff to strike at four Greater Manchester hospitals next week
Emily Sergeant
Hundreds of staff at four of Greater Manchester’s hospitals are set to strike next week.
More than 350 Northern Care Alliance Foundation Trust (NCA) employees – including nurses, clinical support workers and housekeepers – are walking out for three days next week after union UNISON says an offer to ‘resolve’ a dispute was withdrawn before discussions could take place.
According to the union, the dispute centres on the NCA’s use of an outside agency called NHS Professionals (NHSP) to manage overtime.
When covering staff shortages, workers are entitled to time-and-a-half pay – however in some cases, staff earn less than they would on a normal shift, and some have even been missing out on more than £80 per shift, the union added.
Operating theatre staff were previously on picket lines in June, and although an option to resolve the row was initially tabled by NCA bosses, this has now fallen through.
Hundreds of staff at four of Greater Manchester’s hospitals are set to strike next week / Credit: Stephen Andrews (via Unsplash)
This means that staff at Salford Royal Hospital, Royal Oldham Hospital, Rochdale Infirmary, and Fairfield Hospital in Bury are walking out next week on Monday 24, Wednesday 26, and Friday 28 August.
In particular, staff from all four sites will also gather in Salford on Wednesday (26 August) for a ‘unified’ day of protest.
Understandably, some disruption is expected at each of the hospitals on strike days.
“Those at the top of NCA have shown a lack of leadership and made their disregard for their staff clear,” explained UNISON North West regional organiser, Kevin Dolan.
“A deal was put on the table but taken away before we had chance to talk it over. We are ready to continue negotiations, but it’s obvious NCA has no intention of resolving this.
“This isn’t complicated. Staff are simply asking for what their contract says they’re entitled to. Nothing more.”
Featured Image – Pxhere
News
Wetherspoons introduces new phone rule at all UK pubs after customers are ‘driven nuts’
Emily Sergeant
JD Wetherspoon has announced a major new phone rule in all its sites across the UK after customers complain of being ‘driven nuts’.
The pub chain – which has nearly 800 branches across the UK – announced earlier this week that it has made the decision to ban people from playing music or videos out of their phones, and from taking calls on loudspeaker.
The ban, which has been introduced effective immediately, follows a rising number of complaints from customers about the noise – with owners saying sounds from smartphones and tablet computers had become an ‘increasing problem’ in recent years.
Wetherspoon founder and chairman, Tim Martin, says he wants Wetherspoon pubs to be ‘an oasis of tranquillity and contemplation’.
Wetherspoons has introduced a new phone rule at all its UK pubs after customers are ‘driven nuts’ / Credit: Allan Rohmer (via Unsplash)
A formal statement from the company announcing the ban reads: “Following complaints from customers, who are being driven nuts by other people’s videos and amplified phone conversations, Wetherspoon has asked customers to switch their phones to silent or to use earphones.”
Tim Martin added: “In order to avoid customers being driven chicken jalfrezi by a cacophony of sound, we are kindly asking phone users to pipe down.”
Wetherspoon’s ban follows a YouGov poll conducted last year questioning public opinion on a proposition made by the Liberal Democrats of introducing fines of up to £1,000 for ‘headphone dodgers’ who play music out loud on buses and trains.
62% of people, on average, said they would back this move if it was introduced.
The poll, which surveyed 6,815 British adults, found that almost three-quarters of those over 65 would support the fines, while those aged between 18 and 24 were split 47% to 43% in favour of it.
Early public reactions to Wetherspoon’s ban appears to be overwhelmingly positive.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd July 2024 
