Today is the day you are most likely to crash your car, motorists were being warned today.  According to insurance company Esure. accidents go up by 68% on January 18 when compared to any other days of the year.  Research carried out for the company blames poor conditions and icy roads.  Liverpool Echo

 A busy city centre street was closed off for several hours yesterday after a male pedestrian was struck by a bus.  Police and ambulance crews were called to the scene in Hanover Street at around 7.15pm.  The man received head injuries after he was struck by the single-decker bus.  He was taken to the Royal Liverpool Hospital. His exact age and the seriousness of his injuries are not known.  Hanover Street remained cordoned off close to its junction with Fleet Street and Wood Street.  The road was fully re-opened by police at around 10pm.

A girl pedestrian suffered an ankle injury when she was in collision with a car this morning.  The incident happened on Chapel Lane Eccleston at around 8.30am today (Wednesday, January 20).  The victim, whose age is yet to be confirmed, was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure. Her injuries are not thought to be serious.  The driver of the black Fiat Punto car stopped at the scene and is helping police with their enquiries. St. Helens Star

A young girl has been knocked over in rush hour traffic.  The girl, who is around 11 years old, was conscious and breathing at the scene and has been taken to hospital.  It happened on Picton Road in Wavertree at around 7.50am.  The driver of the car stopped at the scene and is being quizzed by Merseyside Police officers.  Liverpool Echo

Local politicians were last night set to send contentious parking charge plans back to the drawing board.  Crosby Area Committee was due to acknowledge the backlash from traders and residents over a scheme – as revealed in the Herald last Thursday– to roll out pay and display meters at six sites.  The plan would see free parking axed at Hougoumont Avenue car park, off South Road, and at Crosby Marina, Blucher Street car park, Crosby Leisure Centre, Burbo Bank car park and Crosby Civic Hall and library.  Council officers say the income generated would help towards its three-year savings target of £25m.  But ahead of last night’s meeting, held at Waterloo Rugby Club, members of all three political parties signalled an intention not to accept the scheme in its current guise.  Committee vice-chair, Lib Dem councillor Peter Hough, said: “What we shouldn't do as a council is push small traders, who are already on their knees, over the edge. No-one wants to see rows of boarded up shops.  “While I can't see how the parking charges can be avoided altogether, I'm not entirely happy with them, and believe some changes are necessary to make them fairer.  “In my view the suggested free 30 minutes parking in Hougoumont Avenue should be extended to an hour – and the Crosby Village car parks brought into line with that.  “That is a more realistic time for someone to buy a few items and then perhaps have a cup of coffee.”  If approved, charges would be implemented across all sites seven days a week, from 8am to 6pm, generating as much as £148,000 per year.  Labour councillor for Church Ward, Paul Cummins, was set to urge the council to draw up a fresh scheme following consultation with the public.  He said: “We want the report to be referred back to the Cabinet member responsible for him to review the proposals and ask officers to come up with a scheme which is more about meeting the needs of the community than simply raising revenue.  “Some charging is probably inevitable but before than happens we want to see a proper parking plan for the area – we need to get it right.”  The council report says the charges are needed to manage increased traffic congestion and pedestrian movement.  But shopowners fear trade will simply haemorrhage to out-of-town retail parks and supermarkets, such as the new Tesco in Litherland – where parking is free.  Janet Barnett, chairman of Waterloo Traders' Partnership, said: “The traders are very unhappy not to have been consulted by the council and parking charges are going to be a major disincentive to shopping in the town centre.  “The council should be doing all it can to support local shops at a time when so many are under threat.”  Conservative Manor Ward councillor Martyn Barber criticised planned charges for Burbo Bank, a popular spot with both tourists and locals.  He said: “If car parking charges are introduced there then I fully expect local residents to be given passes so they can still park for free.  “We have huge savings to make but this is almost like charging people for a view – what next, charging people to go to the park?  “What I would call for is a full review of parking across Sefton. In some areas people pay, and in some they don’t. In Crosby, it seems like you will soon have to pay everywhere.”

Two teenagers were seriously ill in hospital last night after they crashed during a police pursuit.  The 19-year-olds were speeding along Long Lane, Aintree, on what was described as a stolen motorbike when they were spotted by police.  Officers signalled for the bike to stop, but they said the motorcyclist tore off before losing control and crashing into a kerb in Stopgate Lane.  The squad car with its sirens sounding pulled up safely and was not damaged.  One of the teens broke his left arm and the other was due to undergo surgery for his injuries.  The pair, who are both from Fazakerley, were heading towards East Lancs Road at 12.40am yesterday when they crashed.  Police only later found out the bike was stolen.  The incident was referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.  Liverpool Echo