News

A massive £5m viaduct bridge could be built between two Greater Manchester boroughs

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 26th July 2022

Plans have been submitted to build an enormous viaduct bridge that would connect Tameside and Oldham – with beautiful valley views.

If approved, a 140m-long structure would be built across the Medlock Valley in Park Bridge, along the former viaduct route that ran along the boundary between the two boroughs.

Oldham Council hopes that the £5m bridge would make travelling between Ashton-under-Lyne and Oldham easier for cyclists and pedestrians, cutting down on daily car journeys in the area too.

The bridge will stand more than 30 metres above the ground at its highest point.

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It will also provide an impressive access point to Northern Roots, the UK’s largest urban farm and eco-park that’s set to open in Oldham.

If plans go ahead, the council will seek funding from the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Challenge Fund for Active Travel, and the proposed bridge could open within the next couple of years.

It’s been designed with a steel girder structure that would weather with time, for an industrial look that fits the heritage of the area.

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Councillor Amanda Chadderton, Leader of Oldham Council, said: “We’re working hard to provide better, safer, and greener transport links for our residents, as well as those travelling in and out of the borough for work or leisure.

Read more: The ‘majority’ of Stevenson Square in Manchester city centre will be permanently pedestrianised

“This bridge, which would be funded with GM money, would make it far easier for people wanting to walk or cycle between Oldham and Tameside as well as, in the future, providing a great new route to Northern Roots.

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“I’d also like to thank everyone who took part in the consultation exercise, as your views have helped get us to the planning stage. If you have any further comments to make on the proposals, please add your comments to the planning application on our website.”

Oldham Council staff have been working with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Tameside Council on the bridge proposal.

The application will be decided at a future meeting of the planning committee – you can see more information here.

Featured image: Oldham Council

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New stations appear across Manchester for city’s rentable ‘Burnham bike’ scheme

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

The roll-out of Greater Manchester’s Bee Bike cycle hire scheme has stepped up a gear, with new docking stations appearing across the city centre.

The scheme, nicknamed the ‘Burnham bikes’ as a nod to London’s ‘Boris bikes’, initially launched in Salford and along the Oxford Road corridor.

Several new yellow stations have appeared around Manchester now, with plenty more on the way.

The next phase of the roll-out of the Bee Bikes has seen stations installed around St Peter’s Square and Manchester Central.

‘Burnham Bike’ cycle hire stations near St Peter’s Square. Credit: The Manc Group

By the time the scheme is complete, bike numbers will increase to 1,500, which will include 300 e-bikes.

It’s all part of the vision for a Bee Network – a joined-up, integrated public transport network across the region.

And it’s certainly off to a more successful start than Mobike, which famously withdrew from Manchester due to high levels of vandalism and theft.

The Bee Bikes are funded by TgGM and operated by Beryl, which runs similar schemes in London, Watford and Bournemouth.

Richard Nickson, programme director, Cycling and Walking at Transport for Greater Manchester, said: “The cycle hire scheme has really taken off in Greater Manchester since it was first introduced, and we are seeing significant numbers of riders and distances travelled by on the bikes- which is fantastic, particularly as we are still in the early days of the scheme’s roll out.

“The next phase of the roll-out has now started in Manchester city centre, with new stations installed at key locations including Manchester Central Library, Manchester Central Convention Centre and
St Peter’s Square.

Read more: Manchester is OFFICIALLY in the running to host Eurovision

“More stations are due to be installed in Manchester city centre over the coming weeks, before the scheme continues to expand its footprint to new locations in Salford and Trafford.

“Once complete the scheme will see bike numbers increase to 1,500 – including 300 e-bikes – and over 150 new stations in operation.”

To see all the new stations as they appear and find the nearest one to you, you can download the Bee Network Cycle Hire app.

Featured image: TfGM

News

Manchester is OFFICIALLY in the running to host Eurovision

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

The potential host cities for Eurovision 2023 have been announced this morning – and Manchester is officially in with a chance.

The UK has stepped in to host the global singing contest in place of this year’s winners, Ukraine.

As our nation was runner-up this year with Sam Ryder’s Spaceman giving us our biggest success in years, it’s over to the UK to welcome all the countries taking part.

Cities have been announcing their bids for several weeks, with 20 expressions of interest to host sent in.

Sam Ryder came second in last year’s Eurovision. Credit: BBC

But it’s a complicated event, so those who wish to host need to actually have a suitable venue and the financial contribution too, and demonstrate that they will celebrate and honour Ukrainian culture and artists.

The shortlist of seven cities has just been announced live on BBC Radio Two, on Zoe Ball’s breakfast show.

The full shortlist for the cities that may host Eurovision in 2023:

Birmingham

Glasgow

Leeds

Liverpool

Manchester

Newcastle

Sheffield

If Manchester is successful, Eurovision will take place at the AO Arena in the city centre, Manchester City Council leader Bev Craig has announced.

She said: “We are thrilled to have made it through to the next stage to become the 2023 Eurovision host city.

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“Manchester stands ready to put on the biggest party in the UK at the city’s AO Arena, taking our place in Eurovision’s unique history.

Read more: The Eurovision Song Contest will officially be held in the UK in 2023

“We have a large and proud Ukrainian community in Manchester. It would be our privilege to host this iconic celebration on their behalf and we will do everything we can to honour them throughout.”

“We’re exceptionally grateful that the BBC has accepted to stage the Eurovision Song Contest in the UK in 2023,” said Martin Österdahl, the Eurovision Song Contest’s Executive Supervisor.

“The BBC has taken on hosting duties for other winning countries on four previous occasions. Continuing in this tradition of solidarity, we know that next year’s Contest will showcase the creativity and skill of one of Europe’s most experienced public broadcasters whilst ensuring this year’s winners, Ukraine, are celebrated and represented throughout the event.”

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The final decision will be based on scoring criteria from the BBC and the EBU.

It’s expected that the host city will officially be announced in the autumn.

Featured image: EBU / Corinne Cumming

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