Manchester City Council has offered Mancunians a first look at what Deansgate could potentially look like if fully pedestrianised in the future.
The artist impression image forms part of the council’s Manchester City Centre Transport Strategy 2020.
The strategy – which was published yesterday and was developed jointly by Manchester City Council, Salford City Council and Transport for Greater Manchester – outlines how the city centre’s streets can be best managed, with the goals of further improving the city’s public transport network, making walking the predominant mode of travel within the city centre and reducing dependency on car journeys.
It is also aligned with wider efforts across the city region to develop strong and sustainable recovery strategies in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
According to the local authorities, the strategy’s central aim is for 90% of all trips into the city centre to be made on foot, by cycle or using public transport before 2040, which will “help to reduce air pollution and contribute to Manchester’s ambitious goal of becoming a zero-carbon city by 2038 at the latest.”
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A key part of the proposal is to formalise the current trial which has removed traffic along Deansgate to make it a more attractive street for people on foot.
As part of the the plans to expand the city’s current pedestrian priority zones, enhance walking routes, and make it easier to cross the streets, Manchester City Council is therefore “planning for further street improvements on the rest of Deansgate and Whitworth Street to make these key streets better for walking, cycling and spending time in through significantly reduced traffic.”
Deansgate is described as a “priority location” for delivering the council’s Streets For All approach and is intended to be a key destination place within the city centre in the future.
What does this mean though?
Well, Manchester City Council has stated that: “This means creating the highest quality public space, whilst recognising the role this street plays in moving people between locations, especially by walking and cycling. Accordingly, we want to create high quality public realm by giving more space to pedestrians and also improving the junctions to make it easier for people to cross the road.
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“At the same time, we want to retain people’s ability to move to move along this street, particularly on foot and by bike, encouraging general traffic to use alternative routes, such as the MSIRR.”
Speaking on the release of the Manchester City Centre Transport Strategy 2020 Councillor Angeliki Stogia – Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for the Environment, Planning and Transport – said: “As Manchester continues on the road to recovery from the pandemic and plans for growing numbers of city centre jobs and homes, more than ever, a strategy is required to guide the future of transport in the region’s capital.
“This ambitious strategy envisions a well-connected, zero-carbon city centre at the heart of the North, offering residents, workers and visitors a great place to live, work and visit.
“It reflects the thousands of voices – including residents, commuters, and business and interest groups – who’ve contributed to years of discussion and consultation about how they want to travel into and around the city centre.
“What’s emerged is a strategy that reflects the strongest calls – for more and better space for pedestrians and bikes, more sustainable travel options that keep the air clean and cut carbon, less congestion, improvements in public transport, parking and deliveries that don’t choke our streets and air, plus smart use of new technology to help make all of this happen.
“We’re excited to invite everyone to get on board and have their say on this bold, environment-enhancing strategy for a cleaner, sustainable, inclusive Manchester.”
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Manchester City Council
The Manchester City Centre Transport Strategy 2020 is now open for public consultation.
The consultation is designed to give the public their chance to have their say on the plan and is open until Wednesday 4th November, so if you’d like to contribute your thoughts on the proposals, you can do so via the Manchester City Council website here.
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Manchester United reinstate season ticket of fan with dementia after fury over cancellation
Danny Jones
Manchester United have quickly reinstated the season ticket of a lifelong fan suffering from dementia after it was cancelled following confusion over his attendance.
The Premier League was met with huge backlash this week after a fan account on social media posted a message from a fellow supporter explaining how their grandfather had been stripped of his season ticket for supposedly failing to attend the last five games – only that wasn’t the case at all.
As detailed in the lengthy text shared countless times on X, the elderly fan who not only struggles with the neurological condition but also doesn’t own a mobile phone, has been using a paper ticket with a QR code printed on it ever since the majority of stadiums transitioned to largely digital ticketing systems.
Not only were many quick to point out that e-ticketing can be excluding for fans of a certain age and/or accessibility needs but the result in this instance could have been avoided had they taken into account an issue no doubt many other supporters face week in and week out.
@MUSTChair@MU_ST can you guys investigate this? I am not surprised but this is disgusting behaviour. Granted it's no doubt an automated IT system but the club need to make arrangements for the older/non IT fan
As the message goes on to explain, the QR code itself “hasn’t worked all season” and the stewards have simply been making an exception and letting him in on good faith and discretion, along with the presumption that there may have just been an error during the printing of the ticket.
However, since had and could not be scanned on each of these occasions, there was no real record of his entry on their database whatsoever, meaning that he unknowingly hit the limit of games supporters are allowed to miss before a season ticket can be removed.
As a result, not only was his season ticket of more than 45 years cancelled but his seat was immediately relisted for the ballot and quickly sold to someone else ahead of the Brighton game on Sunday, 21 January – at a now inflated price, no less.
Understandably, United supporters and various other clubs were left shocked by the error of the club, damning the decision as “shameful” and disgusting”, with many claiming that they are once again turning their back on so-called ‘legacy fans’.
One person replied: “Man United failing in their duties under the Disability Discrimination Act / Equality Act 2010, with regard to reasonable adjustments, and the club is now vulnerable to legal action […] Scandalous that clubs cannot just do the right thing anymore and only see fans as cash cows to exploit and (effectively) abuse as they see fit.”
What’s even more alarming is the worry that this has already or will happen again to other fans in similar situations, as a fellow Red responding to a response from the club reinforced the same concerns, claiming that they were unwilling to make reasonable adjustments for a family member with Alzheimer’s.
I'm the same. My mum has alzheimer's and I can't always go, especially to night matches but it maybe short notice so can't sell ticket. I asked if this could be taken into consideration at the end of the season and they said no. If you miss games then sell your ticket.
Thankfully, as per multiple outlets, the club has now at the very least rectified this particular mistake and although the club’s Director of Supporter Services had been “unhelpful” up until that point, the right steps have finally been taken.
On the other hand, as the original poster wrote following the update, “Good to hear this has now been resolved, but it should never have happened in the first place.”
Moreover, it’s clear that better measures and safeguarding practices need to be put into place when it comes to contingencies like this because although the Premier League has stated a full switch to digital e-tickets must be complete by the end of 2027 at the latest, there will always need to be exceptions.
As for ticket prices themselves, another banner up at Old Trafford after the club adjusted ticket prices and removed concessions across all categories for the remainder of the season – it read: £66 of your debt, not ours”. It’s not the first time fans have already protested since Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s tenure began.
“£66 you’re taking the p*ss” sing those protesting behind the banner. There are also chants of “you’re forcing us out.” pic.twitter.com/L34l36uvXk
North Manchester General Hospital to be rebuilt and replaced with new ‘world-class facility’
Emily Sergeant
North Manchester General Hospital is set to be rebuilt following new commitment by the Government, it has been announced.
After a review of the New Hospital Programme was carried out, and found that the previous Government’s commitment to deliver ’40 new hospitals by 2030′ was behind-schedule, unfunded, and therefore, undeliverable, the Department of Health and Social Care has today confirmed funding and a realistic timetable to deliver all of its hospital projects.
This credible timeline for delivery, according to the Government, will ensure that staff and patients have access to the facilities they desperately need around the country “as soon as possible”.
Buildings and equipment across the UK that had been left to crumble, disrupting patient care and hindering staff, had been inherited by the new Government, which is why ministers said they are now “committed” to rebuilding the NHS.
North Manchester General Hospital will be replaced with a new ‘world-class facility’ / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
The new plan – which the Government say is “affordable and honest” – will be backed with £15 billion of new investment over consecutive five-year waves, averaging £3 billion a year.
Hospitals in Wave 1 of the Programme, which includes North Manchester General Hospital, are expected to begin construction anytime between 2025 and 2030 – with these schemes including hospitals constructed primarily using RAAC, and have been prioritised due to patient and staff safety being paramount.
Read why the much-welcome certainty on the rebuild of North Manchester General Hospital is so much bigger than just a medical story. Full statement here: https://t.co/bspZ20opz2pic.twitter.com/e50QNDDoF1
“We wholeheartedly welcome the Government’s certainty and commitment around the future of North Manchester General Hospital and its plans for a full rebuild,” commented Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council.
“Working together with our communities, we will ensure that the new North Manchester General Hospital does not just provide excellent healthcare but also improves the health and quality of life for the communities which it serves.
“This rebuild is the lynchpin of that vision, and we are ready now to make it a reality.”
The Government says its plan for implementation of the New Hospital Programme sets out a clear pipeline of schemes to be delivered over the next decade and beyond.
Emily Sergeant -
24th September 2020 
