An illegal ‘car meet’ took place in Denton yesterday afternoon causing congestion and prolonged delays on roads in the surrounding areas and the M60.
The town was said to be ‘gridlocked’ by locals and eyewitnesses.
Hundreds of people were reported to have met up on an industrial estate on Windmill Lane, Denton – which is located just off the motorway – and footage from the event, shared widely on social platforms and in media outlets, showed large rows of cars queuing and lined up near the industrial estate.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police confirmed in a statement on the GMP Tameside North and East Facebook page yesterday afternoon that: “Officers are currently dealing with an incident at Tameside Business Centre, Windmill Lane in Denton where there is an increased activity in vehicular traffic.”
“Can we please ask that you avoid this and the surrounding area.”
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“Sadly this is putting a massive strain on our services at this time and causing a back log of traffic, however we hope we can quickly have things resolved with your help.”
North West Motorway Police also confirmed on Twitter in relation to the event that reports were received of drivers speeding up and down the hard-shoulder of the M60 and that drivers should “take care”.
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Traffic was then later stated to be at “a complete standstill” in a follow-up tweet.
M60 j24 both anticlockwise and clockwise we have heavy congestion – this is due to an apparent car meet off the motorway network, it is however impacting around M60 , M67, M66 – we are getting numerous re vehicles using the hard shoulder at speed, please take care
— North West Motorway Police (@NWmwaypolice) July 19, 2020
we now have standing traffic back up to j25 on the anticlockwise m60 – the roundabout at j24 is at a complete standstill. clockwise carriageway not as bad. if you can find a different way to go to your destination rather than come off at j24 it will save you time.
— North West Motorway Police (@NWmwaypolice) July 19, 2020
A police helicopter was also needed as emergency services became concerned with the large meet.
It was also widely noted by many that several members of the public were appearing to not conform to necessary social distancing regulations, nor did they wear a face covering among crowds.
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Residents have stated ‘hundreds’ of cars and over ‘1000’ people have descended upon the area to participate in and observe what is described as an ‘illegal car rally’.
— Tameside Correspondent (@TamesideCorr) July 19, 2020
Speaking to the MEN, a Denton resident stated that: “They have come from all over the UK as far as London [and] the whole of Denton is gridlocked.”
“It sounds like bonfire night with the cars popping.”
Another eyewitness, who works at Tameside Business Centre and was ‘trapped’ inside, added: “I got in at 7am, I saw there was a banner for a big event. It seems to have been a well organised event. This is a secure site, you’re not allowed to have events like this. You can hear the cars revving. Wheels are spinning. They are doing wheelies on motorbikes.”
“I’m glad I’m inside.”
“There are young kids without their parents. I can’t go until they go, I could be here until 10pm. It might get worse, you don’t know do you?”
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“I don’t want my car being rammed by people wheel spinning.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CC09ZrjJdp3/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CC1BAQdJ5uT/
The event was also publicly condemned on Twitter by Andrew Gwynne, Labour MP for Denton and Reddish, and branded as “completely irresponsible”.
Completely irresponsible and I’m informed the Police are on it. In fact as I type, the Police helicopter is overhead. https://t.co/VC8hsIhIRf
North West Motorway Police confirmed that traffic had begun easing off and clearing up just before 6pm.
Posts shared on social media platform Snapchat/SnapMaps also appeared to show a car that had been damaged in a potential minor collision and visible skid marks on the roads nearby to the industrial estate in the aftermath of the meet.
There has been no official follow-up statement on the event by Greater Manchester Police as of today.
News
Attempted murder arrest and witness appeal after four injured in Altrincham attack
Daisy Jackson
An appeal for witnesses of an attack in Altrincham has been issued by police, after four people were left injured.
Shortly after 3.20am on Sunday 30 November, emergency services were called to reports of a disturbance on Railway Street.
The attack left a man in his 20s with life-changing facial injuries, a 21-year-old male with a chest wound, and a 51-year-old male and 52-year-old female with minor injuries.
The man with the chest wound remains in a serious but stable condition.
Officers have arrested a 24-year-old male from the Partington area on suspicion of attempted murder and section 18 assault – he remains in custody for questioning.
Greater Manchester Police are now appealing for information and witnesses to anyone who may have seen the incident.
Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Dixon said: “We are appealing to anyone in the area to come forward who may have witnessed an altercation on Railway Street before a white male in his 20s ran down the street towards Altrincham Interchange.
“Anyone with information is encouraged to call 101 or report information via our website quoting log 484 of 30.11.2025. Information can also be passed anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
“We appreciate the concern that communities may feel during an incident of this nature. We’d like to ask members of the public not to speculate and would like reassure communities that this incident is believed to be isolated.
“Thank you to the community and our retail partners for their co-operation throughout today regarding the disruption that has been caused during our investigation. Officers will remain in and around Altrincham town centre as we continue to conduct our enquiries.”
Greater Manchester stadiums included in the bid to host the Women’s World Cup confirmed
Danny Jones
The locations for the official UK bid to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup have been revealed, along with the Greater Manchester football stadiums chosen for the honour.
Not exactly a ground-breaking spoiler, but the FA did make a somewhat curious choice when they shared the news.
In case you hadn’t heard the news earlier this year, our nation has officially thrown its hat into the ring for the Women’s World Cup (WWC) in 2035, with England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland all set to offer up their arenas as part of the record-breaking proposal.
Naturally, a region as footy-obsessed as ours and with two of the biggest stadiums in the country was always going to be included, but as mentioned, there was a particular detail that lots of people quickly noticed following the announcement.
Yes, in a slightly bizarre but ultimately innocuous turn of events, Etihad Stadium – home of Manchester City FC – has been selected, as was the world-famous ‘Theatre of Dreams‘, the only difference being that it was listed separately from the city itself.
Instead, Man United’s iconic home turf, Old Trafford, has been listed as just that: in Trafford, specifically, as opposed to simply being listed in the same section as its sky blue counterpart.
Now, while it’s true that all 10 boroughs have their own identity, culture (not to mention some subscribing to still being part of Lancashire or even Cheshire), it did strike us and others as a bit odd to put that rather iconic and equally historic venue down as almost separate from the city.
Many would argue that one of the things Manchester is best known for around the globe is the team of Red Devils that play at that ground.
Naturally, ‘Cityzens‘ have had their fair share of fun with the post and, conversely, there’s been plenty of retorts regarding ‘supporters from Stockport’, as you would expect…
Nevertheless, we’re just glad to see the Etihad and Old Trafford continuing to cater to some of the biggest dates on the sporting calendar.
Some have actually argued that the region should have been given opportunities to host more stadiums and/or games as part of the market pitch, as the likes of both Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic’s stadiums were floated as viable or even better alternatives, capacity-wise.
Either way, with the 22 venues that have been selected for the UK’s bid for the 2035 Women’s World Cup and us Brits currently unopposed in the race to secure the tournament, the FA are going all-in for the 48-team competition, which would be “the biggest single-sport event ever staged in the UK.”
You can read more down below.
Our shared ambition: to host the largest single-sport event ever staged in the UK, and the first FIFA World Cup in this country since 1966.#AllTogetherpic.twitter.com/y6GOPEPDdG
The Manc -
20th July 2020 
