People are being asked to give their views on the biggest issues facing our region as leaders try to draw up plans to tackle them over the next two decades.

A major three month project, called LCR Listens, will see anyone living in the Liverpool City Region able to have their say in what is planned to be its biggest ever public consultation.

Backed by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, the project will be launched today in Prescot and aims to give people a chance to voice their views on transport, jobs, the environment, housing and culture .

Mayor Rotheram says it should help ‘bring devolution to life’ by making sure local peple can genuinely influence decisions in our region.

He said: “ We’re making sure we speak to people from every part of our city region, who reflect our diversity, to make sure we have an accurate picture of what is important to the people who live here.

“Devolution is about bringing power closer to the people, and through LCR Listens we are stepping up our efforts to understand what is important to all of our residents.

“What we learn from this exercise will directly influence our strategic direction for the next 20 years and we are pulling out all the stops to make sure that we reach all of our communities.”

Mayor Rotheram will launch the project with Knowsley Council leader Graham Morgan.

Councillor Morgan said: “I am delighted to support the LCR Listens engagement project which launches in Knowsley.

“Knowsley has benefitted from significant investment thanks to devolution which includes support for the Shakespeare North Playhouse, Halsnead Garden Village and major transport improvements.

“Gathering the views of the Liverpool City Region’s residents which will be used to influence wider strategy decisions is devolution in action. I would encourage everyone to get involved and share their views.”

Results of the project will influence the Local Industrial Strategy, which will set out the long-term economic vision for the Liverpool City Region.

People from across the city region have already been giving their views by taking part in social media videos that will encourage others to take part in LCR Listens. The social media campaign will also be launched on Friday 9 August.

The dates for the first engagement events are below, with more set to follow:

Friday, August 9

Knowsley – Eccleston Street,

Prescot Town Centre, 10am-3pm

St Helens – Summer Streets Festival, Church Square, 10am-3pm

Monday, August 12

Sefton – Bootle Strand Shopping Centre, 10am-3pm

Tuesday, August 13

Liverpool – Liverpool Central Station, 9am-5pm

Wednesday, August 14

Wirral – Cherry Tree Shopping Centre 10am-3pm

Thursday, August 15 Halton – Widnes Market, 9am-3pm

Anyone wanting to give their views on the should also visit www.lcrlistens.co.uk and look out for #LCRListens hashtag on social media.