The family of a young woman who was found dead in Bury over the weekend have paid a touching tribute to her.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that officers were called out to an address on Walnut Avenue, in the Greater Manchester town of Bury, at approximately 10:30pm last Friday night (6 September, and once arriving on the scene, discovered a woman with “multiple injuries”.
The woman, who has now been named as Barbara Nomakhosi, was believed to have died earlier that evening.
Specialist officers are continuing to support the 35-year-old’s family, as work continues into the circumstances of her death, GMP confirmed.
At this time, extensive enquiries into the situation are still ongoing, but what is known is that police did identify a suspect following Ms Nomakhosi’s death, but it is believed that he subsequently died in a fatal collision between a HGV and a pedestrian on the M65 Eastbound at approximately 9pm that same evening (6 September).
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The man, in his 40s, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police are appealing for information after a ‘caring and hardworking’ woman has died in Bury / Credit: GMP
No other suspects are being sought in connection with Barbara’s death at this time, GMP has revealed, and there is no wider risk to the public either.
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Officers are continuing to work through the full circumstances of both the incidents – with both GMP and Lancashire Police progressing the investigation.
As investigations are ongoing, and police appeal for information, a spokesperson for Ms Nomakhosi’s family have paid tribute to her, which reads: “Barbara was a caring and hardworking person. She was so thoughtful and always checking up on her family and friends. Barbara loved her family and enjoyed working as a carer. We loved Barbara so much and life will not be the same without her.”
#TRIBUTE | The family of a woman who was sadly found dead at a property on Walnut Avenue in Bury have paid tribute to her.
Barbara Nomakhosi, aged 35, has been described as ‘caring and hard-working’ in the tribute from her family.
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Davis, from GMP’s Major Incident Team, called this a “complex investigation”.
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“I know just how much Barbara’s family will miss her and I hope that the memories of her can provide comfort as they begin to come to terms with this heartbreaking loss,” DCI Davis added.
“This is a complex investigation, which is very much ongoing, and we remain in contact with colleagues in Lancashire as they progress their own investigation into the circumstances of the fatal collision.”
Anyone with information they think would be helpful is urged to get in touch police via 101 or gmp.police.uk, quoting log 4106 of 06/09/24, or alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Similarly, if you have any footage or information about the fatal collision, you can contact Lancashire Police quoting log 1512 of 6 September, or email their Serious Collision Investigation Unit at [email protected].
Featured Image – GMP
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New images released of Piccadilly Gardens as transformation plans take a big step forward
Daisy Jackson
Plans to transform Piccadilly Gardens to make them more ‘colourful, vibrant and safe’ have taken a big step forward today, with new images released.
Manchester City Council has shared the vision to the public ahead of a planning application being submitted this summer.
The plans to finally give Piccadilly Gardens some love were revealed last autumn, but things are now moving at pace with a delivery team appointed to design and build the new public space.
The new images show the vision for more green space, including lawns, trees, planting, seating, and colourful horticultural displays.
The temperamental fountains will also be removed for good, replaced with a new space called The Pavilion which will host family-friendly events.
The low concrete walls and raised planters at the edge of the gardens will be ripped out, improving the setting of the Queen Victoria statue.
There’ll be a new, larger playground for younger children, created in the same high quality style as the new parks at Mayfield Park and Ancoats Green.
A pre-planning consultation has started today and will run until Wednesday 15 July, with plans to submit the final planning application later this summer.
The new-look play area at Piccadilly GardensPlans for the new Piccadilly Gardens from above
The council has said that these new designs reflect feedback from the public and opinions on what we want to see at the new Piccadilly Gardens.
Council Leader Cllr Bev Craig said: “We’re getting on with sorting out Piccadilly Gardens. We all want to see a space which Mancunians can be proud of – a welcoming and attractive environment which people want to spend time in.
“So as well other initiatives which are delivering more police and more CCTV, we’re bringing forward this scheme to transform the public space. That means investment in more flowers, more greenery, a new welcome pavilion, a new and bigger playground and an altogether more inviting Piccadilly Gardens. A bright new chapter is just around the corner.”
Further planned improvements to the area around Piccadilly Gardens in the coming years will include a multi-million pound investment by Transport for Greater Manchester to create a new, modern transport interchange.
Council calls on Manchester public to help bring hundreds of empty homes back into use
Emily Sergeant
Residents across Manchester are being called on to help bring hundreds of empty homes across the region back into use.
Since the beginning of this year, a major review has been underway around the city’s draft strategy for bringing empty homes back into use to help meet demand for affordable homes across the city, while also improving communities by tackling empty homes that can blight an area… but now, Manchester City Council needs your help.
Following a major public consultation, the Council is now acting on feedback to accelerate plans to bring as many long-term empty homes back into active use as possible.
Although the number of long-term empty homes in Manchester is near a historic low, with the Council having managed to reduce the number by more than half since 2013, there is still more work to be done.
“Every void property is a missed opportunity to provide a family a place to live, reduce homelessness, and lessen the burden on temporary accommodation,” the Council said in a statement.
The Council is calling on the Manchester public to help bring hundreds of empty homes back into use / Credit: Benjamin Elliott (via Unsplash)
So, how can residents help then? What do you need to do if you spot an empty home on a street nearby?
Well, the easiest way to report an empty home is to report the issue online here, or by emailing [email protected]. And then once that’s done, a team of dedicated empty homes officers will take up the case to find out who owns the property and work with the owner on a plan to bring the home back into use.
The vast number of empty homes are privately owned with complex histories, and there are some cases where an owner may have passed away.
While working collaboratively with housing providers, voluntary organisations and public services are also a key element of detecting potentially empty or ‘problematic’ homes to repurpose them.
Officers can also support, where required, if a communication or language poses a barrier to resolving an empty home issue.
Tailored approaches to different communities – where empty homes impact neighbourhoods in different ways – are also being considered, according to the Council.
“To think, if we could bring all empty homes back into use, then we could provide more homes for those on the housing register and take pressure off the whole housing system,” explained Cllr Gavin White, who is Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and development.
“The potential of making empty homes a thing of the past is huge for Manchester families looking for a place to call home – and a significant part of tackling the housing crisis.”
Emily Sergeant -
9th September 2024 
