A new research study has predicted that a number of North West towns could be underwater by 2050 as a result of rising sea levels.
As the global crisis of climate change continues to pose a threat to our future, with a report by NASA released at the start of the year revealing that 2020 was the joint warmest year on record, Climate Central – non-profit news organisation focused on climate science – has taken a look at the severity of the threat of climate change locally, reports LancsLive.
Although the damaging of climate change may not be directly felt where you live at this moment in time, the new research shows that rising temperatures have resulted in increasing sea levels and more severe weather conditions in the region, with the world’s ice sheets melting fast.
Experts say causes of global warming by humans include burning fossil fuels – coal, gas and oil – factory farming, increasing livestock production, and deforestation.
It’s also said that once gradual changes become noticeable, it will likely be too late to stop them.
ADVERTISEMENT
As a result of this, Climate Central’s research predicts that areas of Blackpool, Lytham, Fleetwood and Morecambe could all be underwater in less than 30 years, with Lancaster, Thornton-Cleveleys, Heysham, Preston, South Ribble, West Lancashire and Southport also being affected.
Maps have been released to show how rising sea levels will affect local areas, with areas shaded in red represent places that are lower than the local sea-level or coastal flood projection, according to the selected data.
ADVERTISEMENT
It should be noted that these images are based on predictions if we make no cuts to emissions.
Research predicts that areas of Blackpool could be underwater in less than 30 years / Credit: Climate Central
The Lancashire coastal town and popular seaside resort of Blackpool is one of the most prominent locations on the list, with the above map showing the prediction that most of the area south of Central Pier – including the Pleasure Beach and Blackpool Airport – could be lost by 2050.
According to the research, inland areas including Common Edge, South Shore, Little Marton, Marton Fold and Squires Gate would also be impacted, along with parts of Blackpool & Fylde Industrial Estate, Blackpool Zoo and Marton Mere Local Nature Reserve – however, northern parts of Blackpool including Queenstown, Layton, Grange Park, Warkbrek and North Shore would avoid the potential devastation.
ADVERTISEMENT
Many Lancashire tourist hot spots could be flooded due to rising sea levels / Credit: Climate Central
In Fleetwood, only areas near Jameson Road Landfill Site and pockets of land in Preesall, Stalmine and Staynall would stay above water, and it’s predicted to be a similar situation in nearby Cleveleys, with places including Anchorsholme Park affected.
The research shows that the popular coastal town of Morecambe would bear the brunt of the rising sea levels, with Climate Central predicting that its tourist hot spots would be flooded due to rising sea levels.
Coastal areas of Heysham would also be affected, but parts of the town’s centre, the Nuclear Power Station, and Nature Reserve would be safe.
In the Lancashire county city of Lancaster, areas on the banks of the River Lune would be submerged – while Lancaster city centre, Lancaster Castle, Fairfield Nature Reserve, Williamson Park and other more inland areas would avoid the water.
Rising sea levels could see the picturesque and highly-sought-after town of Lytham mostly submerged, along with the nearby Warton Bank and areas of Clifton.
ADVERTISEMENT
The majority of Southport would also be submerged, according to predictions / Credit: Climate Central
In major city Preston, land close to the River Ribble – including parts of Ashton-on-Ribble and The Docklands – would be affected, and Penwortham, Walmer Bridge, Much Hoole, Bretherton and Hesketh Bank would also see land disappear due to the rising sea levels.
All of Banks and the majority of Southport would also be submerged too, according to Climate Central’s predictions.
Featured Image – Climate Central
UK News
Bez and Shaun Ryder are starring in a new gangster movie – nope, not kidding
Danny Jones
No, you didn’t misread the headline and you’re not on acid: Manchester music legends Bez and Shaun Ryder are set to feature in a brand-new gangster film.
Yes, the ones from the Happy Mondays – why are you having such trouble processing this?
Seriously though, we did a little double-take ourselves when we came across this news, but the familiar Manc faces look to be among the ensemble of a brand-new gangster movie by Irish writer, actor, producer and filmmaker, Ciaron Davies.
And this is just a little leak or rumour that may have been blown out of proportion: you can take it from the horse’s mouth as Happy Mondays frontman, Ryder, recently shared the news on social media.
As you can see, the new film is called Geezers and is billed as a “British crime caper” written and directed by Davies, featuring Shaun as hard-man Robbie and Bez as ‘Monk’. If you saw Ryder shaking off that snake biting his hand like it was nothing then you already know he’s hard as nails.
Although it’s not strictly listed as a comedy per se, ‘caper’ would suggest plenty of humour and light-heartedness, so we’re thinking more like The Gentleman, Italian Job, or maybe even Four Lions, rather than a serious crime thriller.
Now, while we’ve seen both of the Salfordians on screen before not only in the likes of music videos, interviews, panel shows and even as two of the funniest guests to ever go on Celebrity Gogglebox, this latest venture will serve as their respective acting debuts.
According to the IMDb page, the synopsis of the film is as follows: “Crime caper about a stolen bag of money. Caught in the crossfire are ‘The Geezers’ a bunch of wannabe criminals who have bitten off more than they can chew. With 24 hours to grab the cash, London may just go up in smoke tonight.”
Shame it’s not set on the mean streets of Manchester, or better yet Salford, but you’ve still very much caught our interest.
You can see the first promotional poster for the film down below.
As for Davies, he has been involved with a number of small-budget TV film projects, as well as appearing in shorts and even video games, so it’s fair to say that getting 62-year-old Ryder and his ever-energetic hype man, 60, involved is quite the coup for his movie-making career.
Although the film has no release date just yet, we know that filming locations having included parts of Warrington and Pinewood Studios, will be produced by Loose Gripp Films and distributed by publishers High Fliers.
Given the high-octane nature of Geezers and its genre, the feature will involve lots of action, stunts, violence and even martial arts – though how much kung-fu these two will have learned for the project remains to be seen…
All we know is that the film is supposedly “coming soon” and if you don’t want to see Bez and Shaun Ryder doing their best impression of a Guy Ritchie gangster movie then you’re lying to yourself. Praying for a Rowetta cameo to put the cherry on top.
Featured Images — Shaun Ryder (via X)/Loose Gripp Films/IMDb
UK News
This Manchester suburb has just been named one of the UK’s ‘happiest’ places to live in 2024
Thomas Melia
An annual poll has named the Manchester suburb of Didsbury spot among 70 locations said to be the ‘happiest’ places to live in the UK.
Greater Manchester has got lots to say for itself, especially with its diverse and unique cultural landscapes, as well as various vibrant communities, so it comes as no surprise that one of our beautiful suburbs has been voted in a list of the UK’s happiest places to live for this year.
The survey included submissions from 5,000 people and there’s a lot of love being shown to the neighbouring areas of Yorkshire like Doncaster, Bingley, and Harrogate – the lattermost placed in second in the entire country.
But, ranking 62nd out of a possible 70 places, the distinct and vibrant area of Didsbury has been noticed by Furniturebox as one of the ‘happiest’ places to live in the UK.
Credit: The Manc Group
The results took into consideration good state schools, affordable housing, as well as accessibility to pubs, bars, restaurants, independent shops, retailers and more.
With multiple parks, walking destinations, and top-notch travel links with Bee Network trams and buses easily taking you back into the city centre and out to other boroughs, East, West and Didsbury Village all remain some of the most sought-after areas in the region.
There’s a whole host of indie retailers to enjoy, especially on the likes of the main high street and Burton Road, which effectively serves as its own cultural district, home to vintage clothing shops like Steranko, tailored styling opticians Fox Brothers and much more.
Burton Rd also boasts countless fantastic food and drink spots like The Great Kathmandu, SANTÉ, Volta and Proove Pizza, just to name a few; we’ve spent plenty of time just on this stretch of Didsbury alone.
If you’ve spent even a little time in Dids, you’ll know there’s plenty going on and it’s certainly one our happiest places in all of Greater Manchester and therefore the UK.
You can also enjoy the famous ‘Didsbury Dozen’ right on your doorstep.
Elsewhere, and somewhat unsurprisingly, Shakespeare’s ever-romanticised hometown of Stratford-Upon-Avon once again reigned supreme at the top of this list.
That being said, it’s refreshing to see that these locations weren’t entirely related to wealth and similar factors, the survey took affordability into careful consideration.
Cheshire was destined for success with its cracking views and grand properties, as the North West county made waves for the region managing to place in fifth position, holding up against Falmouth in Cornwall which placed in sixth.
Although not nabbing that all-important top spot, Didsbury is carrying the flag for 0161 and showing what all know to be true: Northerners do it best.
Emily Sergeant -
21st June 2021 
