In a week that has seen people across Greater Manchester panic buying fuel, two forward-thinking streets in Chorlton have closed off to local car traffic to start conversations on ways to reduce carbon emissions and to drive less locally.
Residents on Burrows Avenue and Westfield Road have signed up to take part in an ‘Open streets’ trial, where roads are re-prioritised for people over cars.
Neighbours on the streets are taking part in the week of change by reducing their own reliance on cars, pledging to walk, cycle or use public transport to work, school, or go to the shops.
Burrows Avenue opened the street for play and conversation from Monday to Wednesday (Sept 27-29) and Westfield Avenue from Thursday through to Saturday (Sept 30-Oct 2) and restricted through-traffic to act as a showcase on what changes people would like to see on their streets and get people talking about ‘who our streets are currently designed for?’
Burrows Avenue resident Mike Lever along with others taking part in the open streets trial aiming to reduce car use locally
Burrows Avenue resident Mike Lever said: We’ve needed change on the street for a while. The number of cars that speed down this road is scary, especially at night when you feel it shaking the houses.
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“These three days have been peaceful – the last time it was anything like this was the first lockdown. It’s given everyone on the street an opportunity to come out and chat again.”
Mary, long term resident on Burrows Avenue and supporter of the project added: “It’s for the kids this. They’ve never been able to play on the street because of the cars. And now look at them, all playing together.”
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The project – the first of its kind in Manchester – is supported by Our Streets Chorlton with an aim of getting residents thinking about how they can re-imagine what could be possible on their streets when car traffic was not the main feature.
Burrows Avenue resident Mary with her children
Daily activities have been taking place from 3pm until 7pm, including e-bike and cargo bike testers, talks on climate actions and the promotion of new car sharing schemes.
Data is being collected from residents across Chorlton through an interactive heatmap on the changes people would like to see to enable driving less. The findings will be shared with Manchester City Council to work on lasting solutions to reduce carbon emissions and get more cars off the road in Chorlton.
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Project coordinator Pauline Jonhston said: “It has been so encouraging to see action taken by residents on these two streets. We worked with the streets to develop and deliver a project that they care about and can get behind.
“It could not be more apt timing with people panic buying fuel. There are many alternatives to getting in the car that are better for individual health, air quality, our pockets and our planet.
Interactive heatmap which is collecting data on how people in Chorlton would like to see their communities improve
“The residents here are making the case for change here and elsewhere by leaving their cars at home and trying out sustainable forms of transport.
“Hats off to Manchester City Council and our local councillors for being supportive of the project. It’s a first for Manchester that roads have been closed for three consecutive days with a play street permit and no on-street marshalling required. Only barriers and road closure signage used so that opens up opportunities to try it elsewhere too.
“In all weather, residents have got together to socialise, engage in conversations about climate change and re-imagining a neighbourhood that is less dependent on cars to get about. Now we have more data that can be shared and positive feedback, we can look at longer-term solutions to reduce unnecessary short and local car trips, leaving the streets clear for the people that need to use cars.”
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Our Streets Chorlton is a community led project funded by the National Lottery’s Climate Action Fund.
For more information on the project visit here, www.ourstreetschorlton.co.uk and have your say on what you would like to see improved in Chorlton on a dedicated heatmap here.
Manchester
Manchester Museum debuts new FREE ‘Human Natures’ exhibition
Danny Jones
A brand-new exhibition has opened over at Manchester Museum and, best of all, it’s completely free to visit.
The award-winning city centre museum has just launched its latest public access exhibit, simply entitled ‘Human Natures’.
Nevertheless, this most recent addition is far from straightforward, as the display asks some deep questions not only of society but of those who go along to view it for themselves.
Debuting on Wednesday, 22 April, Manchester Museum’s Human Natures project will be on for several months and has already seen a healthy amount of foot traffic.
Posting on social media, the team ask: “Are we losing our connection with nature?”
Examining how we take it for advantage on numerous fronts – everything from food and fashion to developing landscape and more –
One of the stories we are showcasing is the work of local collective, Manchester UrbanDiggers (MUD), who cleverly turned a disused bowling green into a community market garden, reconnecting people with nature in urban spaces. More of this stuff, please.
Situated within the Exhibition Hall on the ground floor of the beautiful buildings located at the University of Manchester, other collaborators include Platt Fields Market Garden and even the RSPB.
The native CIC (community interest company) and their work are one of many important organisations that have helped bring this project to life, which will also serve as part of this year’s Universally Manchester Festival – a one-day and equally free celebration that is returning in June.
2026 is technically just the second edition of the modern event, which has been through several iterations over the years.
Put in the simplest terms, Human Natures will explore “stories of overconsumption and overexploitation of animals, plants and minerals, looking at the consequences for climate, biodiversity and people.”
Credit: Supplied
However, it also highlights and critiques how organisations and we as individuals currently collide with these concepts, and how we can work to better interact with the world around us and “create a more hopeful future.”
Rachael Webster, Curator of Botany at Manchester Museum, said in a statement: “It’s often difficult to notice how the relationships we’ve developed with the plants, animals, and landscapes have created problems for people and planet, especially as many of us buy what we need rather than growing or making it ourselves.”
“Human Natures explores a number of complex global issues, from the mechanisation of farming to throw-away culture, which could easily feel overwhelming. So we’re aiming to tell stories that connect with people on a human level, inspiring empathy and hope.”
Once again, Human Natures at Manchester Museum is completely free to attend; you can book your visit right HERE, although walk-ins on the day are also welcome. Meanwhile, another big area of the space itself is closing for a major refurbishment.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via MCR Museum)
Manchester
Billie Eilish reveals the reason why chose Manchester to film her new movie
Danny Jones
Global superstar Billie Eilish has revealed the reason why she chose Manchester, of all places, to film her upcoming new movie.
The answer won’t surprise you, but we were buzzing with it nonetheless.
In case you were unaware, Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour is the new documentary and live concert film directed by Billie herself, along with some help from none other than James Cameron.
Being screened not only in cinemas but also in 3D (yes, that’s still a thing), the performance-based movie captures content taken from her run of gigs right here in Manchester. Here’s why she picked us:
Though it’s still no surprise, really, we always find it so surreal seeing some of the world’s most famous artists speaking so highly about our city.
As you can see, while she did quip that the schedule lined up production-wise, it was an easy decision to pick her four – yes, FOUR sold-out nights at Co-op Live, as the place to film the project based on the atmosphere alone.
“I fricking love Manchester”, said the 24-year-old, going on to add, “Honestly, Manchester is one of my favourite audiences ever.”
Manc fans simply couldn’t get enough of her, hence why she was able to book so many big dates at the massive arena.
Here’s the big surprise she brought out for the show we were lucky enough to be at:
We love Billie and, as it turns out, she feels the same about us.
The release date for Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft tour movie is coming around early next month, with the film set to be screened in selected cinemas across the UK and beyond on May 8, 2026.
Speaking in the recent interview on the red carpet with the BBC, she also detailed how fellow Academy Award-winner Cameron contacted her first about the prospect of creating this immersive music project.
Imagine just picking up the phone to James Cameron – as you do…
Will you be watching? Better still, were you at one of the shows and plan to look out for yourself in the crowd, which is now soon to be splashed on the big screen?
The Manc -
1st October 2021 
