Ambitious plans for the transformation of Chorlton’s historic library have been unveiled, and they certainly do look fancy.
In case you hadn’t already heard, Chorlton Library – which first opened all the way back in 1914, and is one of 24 public libraries in Manchester managed by Manchester City Council – is about to undergo a “major refurbishment” that will see the stunning Grade II-listed building lovingly upgraded, before it reopens to the public once again next year.
Work to the well-known Manchester Road site will “enhance the existing structure” of the building, according to the Council.
Improvements to the exterior stonework of the building and its windows, as well as the renewal of its electrical and mechanical systems, are just some of the tasks at hand unveiled as part of the Library’s transformation plans.
Additional meeting rooms within the existing structure will also be created as part of the refurbishment, and this means that, when the building reopens in 2025, the Library will benefit from special ‘Open+ technology’ to allow it to be “open and accessible” to the local community for more hours every day.
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But by far the stand-out feature of the transformation plans has to be the intention to unveil the building’s fabulous dome, which has been hidden for countless years.
All work will go towards ensuring the building contributes to lower carbon emissions, and will ultimately help the Council meet its target of becoming zero carbon by 2038.
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Ambitious plans for a ‘major refurbishment’ of Chorlton’s historic library have been unveiled / Credit: Manchester City Council | Polina Zimmerman (via Flickr)
Councillor John Hacking, who is the Executive Member for Skills, Employment and Leisure at Manchester City Council, called Chorlton Library a “unique building” and “a great asset to the city” – but promised the revamp will be “worth the wait” once it reopens.
“It’s a much-loved library, and continues to be at the heart of the Chorlton community as it has been for the last 100 years, [but] this work will bring it right up-to-date and ensure it continues to be better equipped to serve the local community and fit for purpose for the next 100 years and more, as well as meeting our sustainability plans and carbon neutral targets.
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“As one of the busiest libraries in the city, I know it will be missed but I can assure you that the revamp will be worth the wait.”
Chorlton Library closes its doors for two-weeks next Sunday 24 March, and it will then reopen with a reduced offering from the extension at the back of the building from Monday 8 April.
Services in the reduced library offer will include free internet and Wi-Fi, a small selection of stock, and a reservation pick-up point – with these reservations able to be made for free on the Manchester libraries catalogue online.
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
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Government sets up taskforce to deliver ‘urgent action’ on maternity care in England
Emily Sergeant
A taskforce aiming to deliver ‘urgent action’ on maternity care in England has been set up by the Government.
The new Maternity and Neonatal taskforce – which is chaired by the Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting – will tackle ‘deep-rooted inequalities’ and deliver urgent action on the recommendations of the independent national investigation into maternity and neonatal services in England.
This means that women, babies, and families will receive safer and higher-quality care from the NHS in the long run.
According to the Government, the expert panel includes families, senior NHS leaders, royal colleges, campaigners, academics, and third sector representatives.
The Government has set up a taskforce to deliver ‘urgent action’ on maternity care / Credit: Jimmy Conover (via Unsplash)
As part of the selection process, the Government has been working closely with harmed and bereaved families to ensure their personal experiences were reflected, and those who have been chosen collectively have the clinical expertise, lived experience, and sector know-how to deliver the changes so desperately needed for families.
Starting next week, the Secretary of State will chair regular roundtables with the new taskforce – with the first priority to agree its Terms of Reference.
The taskforce will also address recent developments in maternity and neonatal care, including recommendations from the Thirlwall Inquiry, and the independent review into maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.
📢 National maternity and neonatal investigation to be launched
Too many families have suffered preventable harm.
The investigation will urgently look at services with specific issues and the entire maternity system, making sure each family receives safe and compassionate care. pic.twitter.com/J8XkwGM9dN
— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) June 23, 2025
The taskforce will also be supported by a wider range of experts – as part of ‘expert reference groups’ – that the Government says will bring ‘a broader range’ of perspectives.
“Every woman and baby deserve safe, compassionate care during pregnancy and birth, and the very best start in life,” commented Duncan Burton, who is the Chief Nursing Officer for England.
“Although NHS maternity and neonatal teams work incredibly hard to support women and families every day, we know there is more we must urgently do to improve care and experience.
“I look forward to working with members of the taskforce to improve safety and deliver the best possible outcomes and experience for women, babies, families, and colleagues working in these services.”
Featured Image – Credit: Aditya Romansa (via Unsplash)
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Manchester Piccadilly is closing AGAIN for more improvement works this weekend
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Piccadilly is set to close again for more improvement works this weekend.
In case you hadn’t heard, Manchester Piccadilly train station was closed for nine days back in mid-February while a ‘once-in-a-generation upgrade’ was carried out – with very few train services running in or out of the station in the process, and as you’d expect, widespread disruption caused for those travelling around the region.
But thankfully, after many journeys were impacted for those travelling to and from major destinations like Manchester Airport, and on the West Coast Mainline, the station was back up and running at the end of February, with passengers thanked for their patience in the meantime.
Network Rail invested £7.9m into the major upgrade, with the main points of action being to improve tracks, points, and signalling systems on the southern approach to Manchester Piccadilly station.
At the time it was announced that the station had reopened, passengers were alerted to further minor closures in the future, and one of those closures is set to take place this weekend.
🗓️ On 1 & 22 March, we’ll complete follow-up work following our £7.9m track upgrade at Manchester Piccadilly.
🛤️ Morning journeys will be disrupted on those days, with rail replacement buses in operation to keep you moving.
This Sunday (22 March), routine follow-up work will take place to secure the new railway foundation stone through a process called tamping, and this will impact trains until 1pm, so passengers are advised to check online ahead of time if planning to travel.
These upgrades are said to help deliver ‘smoother, more reliable’ journeys for passengers in the future, but during this time, trains from the south and east will not run into Manchester Piccadilly.
All station facilities at Manchester Piccadilly will remain open on the day, including the ticket office, Passenger Assist lounge, toilets, and retail outlets, and Metrolink trams will continue to stop at the station too.
Northern has confirmed that it will continue to run a reduced timetable on services to Liverpool Lime Street, Blackpool North, and Chester.
Emily Sergeant -
15th March 2024 
