How Merseyside commuters fared during the local government workers' one day strike
Alan Oxton, senior consultant for Parker Kelly Financial Services, Liverpool said: "My work involves a lot of meetings with clients and my car is essential for getting around Merseyside. Because of the tunnels closure, I had to take the train into work and spend the day at my desk. A large proportion of our work involves negotiating company and individual pensions, so we understand the importance of the proposed pension changes for the public sector workers. However, while we can empathise, we are wondering if all the disruption will ultimately make central government change their position?"
Christina Jones, 35, an education manager from Oxton, Wirral, caught a train to Hope Street. "The trains were packed today, and there has not been much publicity about why the strikers are so unhappy about their pensions. I don't think it's fair to close the tunnels because of this issue, because it has totally cut Wirral off."
Chris Nisbet, chairman of Albany Assets in Liverpool: "I live in Hoylake and so had to come across via the Runcorn Bridge leaving the house at 6.30am to get in to work but had a fairly clear run through at that time. I might have taken the train, but had meetings in Manchester."
Russell Smith, 22, a marketing assistant, had a far more complicated journey than normal to get to work in Birkenhead from Liverpool. He said: "I'm not sure that disrupting other people's daily routines is the right way for strikers to get their point across. They might have some public sympathy now, but there is a cut-off point to peoples' patience.."
Jan Peters, from Burton, Wirral, is director of Staley Peters Creative Communications in Liverpool: "I had to drive to a series of meetings around the North West via Runcorn Bridge which made my day significantly longer. It's always disappointing when communications break down among different groups in the workplace, and extreme actions by employees are often the very last resort."
Andrew Cornes, 42, a graphic designer who normally drives from New Brighton to Liverpool, said: "There were no problems catching the train and it has actually made me think twice about whether this might not be the best way for me to travel to work. The strike could be very good for Merseyrail as it will make people realise there's a viable alternative to the tunnels, which a lot of people think are a bit of a rip-off."
Rupert Gill, partner designate at Liverpool-based Brabners Chaffe Street Solicitors: "I normally drive into the city centre through the tunnel and drop my daughter off at nursery on the way. However because of the strikes I came across on the train much earlier than usual and it was packed, which is not ideal with a two year old."
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