Billy Butler to switch on Waterloo lights on Friday 5th December

Radio Merseyside's Billy Butler is to switch on the lights of the giant Christmas tree in Waterloo.

The tree is located at the station interchange in South Road, and the event takes place on Friday 5th December.

Mrs Butler's Favourite Son will broadcast his afternoon show from the interchange, where celebrations will start with a Christmas market from 3 p.m.

The lights will be switched on as darkness falls at around 4:45 p.m. Nearby Brighton Road will be closed for the day to enable construction of a special stage for a wide variety of entertainments by Waterloo Primary Schools choir, St Michael's School brass band, the choir of St Faith's Church, Waterloo, and The George Ferguson School of Irish Dance.

Hymn sheets will be provided for people to join in the carol singing. They will also be able to buy speciality seasonal breads and confectionery from a visiting German bakers van. The nine stalls in the market will offer a variety of special decorations, craft items, and fruit and vegetables.

Following the outstanding success of last years South Road event, the historic canopy over the entrance to Waterloo railway station will again be decorated with hanging lights.

Waterloo's lights will also include St John's Road, where traders are sponsoring special illuminated artificial Christmas trees specially designed to fit on lamp posts.

This year's Christmas tree will be green in more ways than one. Its lights will be solar and battery powered so that they won't have to draw power from the mains.

The afternoon's events are supported by Crosby and Maritime housing associations through the Housing Market Renewal Initiative, Seftons area committee of Crosby councillors, Merseytravel, Merseyrail Electrics, Waterloo Residents Association, and local traders and shopkeepers.
Sheilagh Kirwin from Maritime Housing Association, part of the Regenda Group, said: "This promises to be a tremendous afternoon and evening for the whole community. Families and people come together at Christmas to enjoy themselves.

"This will provide a perfect opportunity to start Waterloos celebrations with a great deal of fun."

Cllr Paul Cummins, Chair of the Crosby Area Committee, said: "I can confidently state that all local councillors from all Parties are delighted to be able to support the Waterloo Christmas celebrations. This is a great way for the community to come together.

"We're really hopeful that we can build on the success of last year with a highly entertaining and enjoyable event for Waterloo people of all ages."
 
Ian Hamilton Fazey, chairman of the Waterloo Residents Association, added: "The celebrations will certainly aid the emergence of the interchange as a focal point for Waterloo as a whole. Christmas provides a wonderful opportunity for both St John's Road and South Road to showcase themselves in terms of shopping and entertainment.

"The restaurants in particular are putting on some terrific menus of seasonal fare."

Cllr Mark Dowd, chairman of Merseytravel, said: "Christmas provides an opportunity each year to reflect on life and demonstrate our sense of community. We are glad to have had the opportunity to support this event, which we hope will bring the people of Waterloo together to enjoy what looks like being a great deal of fun."

Parking restrictions at and around the interchange will be strictly enforced on the day to keep the area clear of illegally parked vehicles. Some buses will be rerouted via Great Georges Road and Marine Terrace.