Salford City Council has confirmed that cameras are to be installed near a notorious city centre junction where drivers routinely ignore “no right turn” signs.
Council leaders have put forward plans for a new traffic order at the junction of Chapel Street and Victoria Bridge Street, in which it has been prohibited to make a right turn at for several years – with signs marking that only buses and cyclists should make the manoeuvre – but is ignored by thousands of drivers every week.
It’s even believed that around 50+ cars can sometimes make the right turn every hour during busy periods.
Gridlock traffic around Manchester city centre remains a problem for motorists – particularly on routes heading towards Salford and Trafford at rush-hour – and drivers frequently using Deansgate to cut across town has been a historic problem, so the move to install cameras at this junction is likely to be welcomed by many.
It also comes after the council’s decision earlier this year to temporarily pedestrianise a short section of Deansgate in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The new traffic order at the junction of Chapel Street and Victoria Bridge Street is to be introduced “on an experimental basis for a period of up to 18 months” and aims to gain further control of driver behaviour in the Chapel Street area.
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It is expected to come into force by the end of this week.
Cameras will enforce to drivers the signs that make it clear only buses and cyclists are permitted to turn right at the bottom of Victoria Bridge Street.
All other traffic must turn left down Chapel Street.
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Councillor Roger Jones – Executive Support Member for Transport at Salford City Council – said: “The proposed bus gate is part of an 18 month trial to help buses move around the city centre more freely to encourage more use of public transport in the long-term and create a safer and more attractive environment for walking and cycling.
“It will also reinforce the existing ban on vehicles turning right from Victoria Bridge Street onto Chapel Street.”
The move has also been welcomed by the campaign group WalkRide Salford, with spokesperson Harry Gray adding: “The council are doing this as it’s the only way to enforce something that’s already banned, as drivers just ignore the current signs. This will vastly improve the area for walking and cycling [which is] the main form of transport for locals in this part of Salford,
“[And] drivers from out of town can still access the city centre via Trinity Way.
“We want a vibrant city centre, free of rat runs, pollution and gridlock [and] this scheme will allow the regeneration of Chapel Street as a culture hub to thrive further.”
You can find more information via the Salford City Council website here.
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Family-run Greater Manchester business calls out customers for punching cakes
Thomas Melia
A well-known independent Greater Manchester business has taken to social media to call out customers who were caught on CCTV punching their cakes.
Known for everything from cakes and pastries to hot baked goods and custom chocolate designs, Slattery’s in Whitefield has been serving up their gorgeous cake and chocolate creations for over 50 years, all while keeping the business family-run.
Unfortunately, the reason they’re receiving lots of attention at the minute is due to two customers resorting to violence on their pre-packaged sweet-treat products.
The social media account for this Greater Manchester chocolatier has uploaded two images which show the outcome of the fatal blows which struck two of their Victoria Sponge cakes.
Although this punch may have cost them the price of two of their delicious traybakes, later on in the post, Slattery’s issues a big thanks to “All the wonderful families who’ve visited so far this summer.”
“We know cake can be exciting, but a gentle reminder that little bakers should remain under adult supervision at all times – Thank you.”
This third-generation family-run “chocolate wonderland” has brought a smile to many locals’ and tourists’ faces alike with their wide variety of unique-shaped chocolate bars, lollies, grab bags and more.
All throughout 2021, Slattery’s were serving up their moreish Slattery’s Chocolate Lockdown Platters consisting of shortbread, brownies, fudge, pretzels, marshmallows and Oreos, helping Mancs continue to get our sugary fix even during one of the country’s toughest times.
Just look at them – they do the lord’s work:
Slattery’s chocolate shop and bakery has called out customers on social media for punching their pre-packaged cakes / Credit: The Manc Group
As well as attracting visitors with its grand three-storey bakery and chocolate shop, Slattery’s also has its very own restaurant, Mason’s Dining Room, where people flock to attempt the ‘Chocolate Challenge’.
To win, two chocoholics must team up to finish an American-style chocolate fudge cake with chocolate ice cream, a portion of fresh cream and two chocolate pots filled with liquid chocolate sauce – oh and two delicious hot chocolate drinks too.
Any sweet tooth successor will bag themselves one of Slattery’s chocolate medals and a box of handmade chocolates too – in case you needed chocolate anymore.
Lastly, anyone after supporting this Greater Manchester sweet-treat provider can find the chocolatier and cake makers on 197 Bury New Road in Whitefield or via Slattery’s official website HERE.
Featured Images – The Manc Group/Slattery’s (via Instagram)
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Plans to build tower next to Manchester’s historic Britons Protection pub scrapped
Danny Jones
Punters, rejoice: plans to build a large apartment tower next to Manchester’s Britons Protection pub have reportedly been scrapped after a long, drawn-out process and widespread protests.
What a relief.
One of the city’s oldest boozers, the Britons Protection was due to be dwarfed by a large development reaching 26 storeys tall, which not only would have encroached on the cultural landmark and storied watering hole, but also blocked out its popular beer garden to the rear.
We’ve seen a similar loss of outdoor drinking space with the recent St Michael’s development, which has essentially removed the equally historic Sir Ralph Abercromby pub – though it is at least getting a refurb – but in truth, the ‘Protect the Protection’ fight has been going on much longer.
As per a notice published on Manchester City Council’s website this week, it now appears that the plans for 72 new flats have been cancelled, with developers Arrowsmith Management having officially withdrawn their application.
Run by Bahraini businessman Mohamed Abbas Haji, the company is now said to be reassessing its options for the ‘Apex Tower’ proposals.
Speaking to the BBC, Mark Brennan – who took over the pub back in January 2025 – said: “I’m quite happy to be honest, a lot of people say the pub might be busier with more people about, but that doesn’t necessarily translate to people coming in here.”
“It would have looked horrendous… It’s Grade II-listed, so the pub should always be here. It wouldn’t have been a good look, having a big ugly building on top of our building.”
Countless Mancunians have echoed the sentiment over the past few years, with appeals dating back to post-pandemic and a big awareness push in 2021.
Standing for more than two centuries and holding countless awards, it was never going to go quietly.
It also happens to be quite comfortably on our list of the cosiest pubs in Manchester and has been since day dot.
Anyone who’s been in will know the sense of a warm welcome the place always puts out, and we’re overjoyed to hear that years of petitions and campaigning to save it have paid off.
These stories don’t always end with the right outcome (not often enough, anyway), so we’ll definitely be raising a glass to the Britons Protected this weekend.
Unfortunately, we do still have some other sad news from the hospitality sector, as our oldest Manc publican has passed away at a fellow favourite pub.
Emily Sergeant -
25th November 2020 
