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Andy Burnham confirms Greater Manchester buses will be brought under local control

The final decision was announced this week - with nine out of 10 councils already backing plans to bring buses under regional control.

The Manc The Manc - 25th March 2021

Mayor Andy Burnham has confirmed that buses in the Greater Manchester region are set to be franchised.

The final decision was announced on Thursday (March 25) – with nine out of 10 councils having already backed plans to bring buses under regional control.

Under the new regime, buses can still be run by private companies, but Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and local authorities can set fares, timetables and routes.

A group of bus operators in the region have previously expressed opposition to the plans – claiming the £135m cost “only covers the transfer of responsibilities, does not provide any future investment or service improvements, and creates no change to today’s network.”

Stagecoach also launched a website proposing a partnership plan that functioned as an “alternative to franchising.”

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Explaining his decision on Thursday, Burnham told press that Greater Manchester has been “held back” by its bus services.

“I have also considered the views of the public, transport staff and stakeholders about these proposals,” he said.

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“Taking all of that into account, I can today announce that after 35 years of deregulation in Greater Manchester I have decided to bring our buses back under local, public control.”

The new system will be introduced from early 2023.

Burnham previously confirmed his ‘big ticket item’ for Mayoral re-election was a revamp of local transport – introducing a London-style system whereby passengers could travel using a single pass for buses and trams.

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Speaking to The Manc earlier this month, Burnham said the new network had the potential to be “life-changing”.

“We can improve people’s quality of life with this – and give them a public transport system that’s just much more convenient, easier to use, and more affordable,” the Mayor added.

Featured image: David Dixon / Geograph

News

Six Nations to stay free-to-air as broadcasters strike new TV deal

Danny Jones Danny Jones Six Nations to stay free-to-air ITV BBC

Good news for rugby fans as the Guinness Six Nations is set to remain free-to-air for the foreseeable future following a new deal being struck between the competition and its current broadcasters.

With the 2025 tournament approaching its conclusion, the organisers are already looking ahead to the next year and how to contest will be marketed, with many predicting the rights to be snapped up by a major sporting channel.

Fortunately, however, the Six Nations‘ present coverage partners have managed to keep the games as part of the current TV license package after striking a new four-year deal.

The agreement between BBC and ITV, who air all of the annual fixtures between them at the moment, will see the pair host the matches until 2029 at the very least.

As mentioned, it was thought that broadcasters and streaming platforms like TNT Sports might secure the licensing for at least part of the tournament as they continue to expand their large and varied service but, for now, UK coverage is staying right where it is.

Under the new contract, ITV will show 10 games per season, including every England match, while the BBC will air the remaining five fixtures.

BBC will also host all Wales and Scotland home games bar when the two nations play England at Murrayfield and the Principality Stadiums, respectively.

Better still, not only will the men’s competition be staying free-to-air but BBC will continue to show every game during the Women’s Six Nations as the interest in female rugby continues to grow.

In fact, it’s having quite a boom here in Greater Manchester on its own.

Wigan named the ‘best place in the country’ for girls to get into football
Greater Mancs making strides for the next generation.

This year’s tournament has been as blockbuster and nail-baiting as ever, with England still in with a chance of winning the whole thing if they beat Wales with a bonus point – provided France fail to beat Scotland in the final game.

England’s last game gets underway at 4:45pm and it’s all to play for.

You can find all the best places to watch the remainder of the action down below:

Where to watch the 2025 Six Nations in Manchester city centre

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Sum_of_Marc (via Flickr)/Guinness Six Nations

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The incredible £5m Hollywood-style mansion with ‘one in a million’ views

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Ever fancied waking up in a property that feels so LA, that if you walk past your window fast enough you can imagine catching a glimpse of the Hollywood sign?

If the Oscars has you feeling like you want to live a taste of the high life, then fear not, because we’ve got you covered with a property that feels like it’s straight out of the land of lights, camera, action.

This five bedroom mansion is located in Alderley Edge within Cheshire, and with its oval shaped exterior, you can see a full 360 of the surrounding landscapes.

Before you even see the property itself, you make your way up a private road leading straight to the just-over 10,000 square foot house.

The first floor is mesmerising from its amenities such as a music room, media room, study and sitting room as you walk in, to the collective gym, steam room, sauna and pool at the other end of the house.

What a way to let the light in.
Who doesn’t want a pool in their house?
Credit: Rightmove

Your eyes can’t help but focus on the wide circular hall, lit up perfectly by the sun roof overlooking it, even on a dull day some natural light is always appreciated.

The second floor has five large bedrooms all with en suites and individual dressing rooms, so you can get yourself all dolled up without having to worry about whose turn it is to use the mirror.

One of the bedrooms even has its own lounge space for when you want to admire how beautiful this grand dwelling place really is.

Obviously the master bedroom has the largest wingspan and is curved in nature with doors opening out onto the balcony terrace which is curved like this house’s exterior.

Those remarkable floor to ceiling windows are stunning.
The only thing missing is a glass of sangria.
Credit: Rightmove

Every window segment for all the rooms contains three floor to ceiling slabs which are all attached to each other, allowing you to see the outside world without having to leave your room.

The land attached to the property is all contained within a walled proximity featuring a formal garden, a wider dome shaped green space and a final rocky terrain with a stone patio taking up one half.

Still not enough to win you over? How about four adjoined stables and an accompanying garage which makes up the surrounding space on the opposite side.

Adjacent to the oval shaped home, the row of stables are detached from the main house with the garage free standing as well.

Stables and a garage, wow.
Bird’s eye view of what could be your next mini oasis.
Credit: Rightmove

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Anyone interested in this property should be prepared to spend a few million as currently the owners are asking for offers in excess of £5 million.

It’s impossible to detail how remarkable this home really is and if you’re as nosy as us you’ll definitely want to mooch around HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image: Rightmove

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