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.”
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.
“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.”
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.
News
Boxing great Ricky Hatton found dead at home, aged 46
Daisy Jackson
Ricky Hatton has been found dead at his home in Tameside at the age of 46.
The Stockport-born boxing legend, often known as The Hitman, had just recently announced he was returning to the ring.
Ricky Hatton was set to come out of retirement for his first competitive fight in 13 long years this December.
A police cordon is around his home on Bowlacre Road in Gee Cross, Hyde.
Greater Manchester Police say his death is not being treated as suspicious.
A GMP spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we have found a body at an address on Bowlacre Road in Gee Cross at 6.45am today, Sunday, September 14. The death is not being treated as suspicious.”
Ricky Hatton was one of the sport’s best-loved boxers and one of the greatest sportspeople to come out of Greater Manchester.
Hatton, who held an MBE, had been working as a promoter and trainer since retiring from the sport.
His illustrious boxing career spanned from 1997 to 2012, during which time he held multiple world championships.
Tributes are pouring in, with boxing magazine Boxing News writing: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of British boxing royalty Ricky Hatton.
“A relentless pressure fighter and spiteful body puncher in the ring, Hatton was adored for his charisma and down-to-earth character outside of it.
“He will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with his loved ones. Rest in peace, Ricky.”
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of British boxing royalty Ricky Hatton.
A relentless pressure fighter and spiteful body puncher in the ring, Hatton was adored for his charisma and down-to-earth character outside of it.
Amir Khan posted: “Today we lost not only one of Britain’s greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior, Ricky Hatton.
“As fighters, we tell ourselves we’re strong — we train, we sweat, we take hits, we get up. But sometimes the hardest fight happens in silence, in the mind. Mental health isn’t weakness. It’s part of being human. And we must talk about it. We must reach out. We must lean on each other.
“Ricky, thank you for everything. For your fights, your moments of glory, your grit. Thank you for pushing us, showing us what’s possible. To everyone reading this: if you’re hurting or struggling, you are not alone. Talk. Reach out. Because we need more light, more compassion, more understanding.
“Rest well, Ricky. You’ll always have your place in the ring of our memories.”
Sacha Lord shared: “RIP Ricky Hatton. A gentle giant and absolute legend.”
Fellow pro boxer Anthony Fowler wrote: “Feel sick. RIP RICKY HATTON.”
And podcaster James English shared: “RIP Ricky Hatton.
“A true champion inside and outside the ring, Ricky’s grit, passion and courage will never be forgotten.
“Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who admired him during this heartbreaking time. Rest in peace, Ricky. Thank you for the memories.”
Featured image: Wikimedia Commons, Aeropixels Photography
News
Kalvin Phillips is reportedly set to be reintegrated into the Manchester City squad
Danny Jones
Long-exiled Manchester City player Kalvin Phillips is reportedly on the verge of being reintegrated into Pep Guardiola’s squad this season.
The ex-Leeds United star, who signed for the Blues back in 2022, has still only made just 16 appearances for the club, but could now be eyeing up a potential renaissance.
Man City have made plenty of signings this year, but with a number of outgoings and several injuries in key positions, it looks like there could be an avenue for the one-time England international to fight his way back into the team.
As per Telegraph Sport‘s Mike McGrath, Kalvin Phillips is set to be reintroduced to City’s 25-man Premier League selection; the question is, can he make it into a first-team XI?
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Kalvin Phillips has chance to resurrect career at the Etihad Stadium after failed loan spells with Ipswich and West Ham
According to McGrath, Phillips will be “given a chance to resurrect his career at the Etihad Stadium” with the meat and potatoes of the 2025/26 campaign still yet to get properly underway.
Now 29, the Yorkshireman is well and truly within the crucial ‘prime’ years as an athlete, and after such an extended period on the sidelines, he’ll be more motivated than anyone to get his career back on track.
The central defensive midfielder – who was formerly considered a key cog in the middle of the park for Leeds – has spent two loan spells away from the Etihad, but neither really worked out for the undeniably talented footballer.
Having joined West Ham for the latter portion of the 23/24 term and spending the last 12 months on loan at struggling Ipswich Town, his time at both clubs was pretty forgettable, punctuated by little more than a couple of unfortunate red cards and more time on the bench.
Speaking to Sky Sports fairly recently, he confessed that the last couple of years have been very difficult and was visibly emotional discussing his struggles since moving to Man City.
It’s also worth noting that Guardiola himself has admitted to feeling “so bad” for Kalvin Phillips’ situation – perhaps why he now looks like he could be given a second chance.
CDM-wise, Rodri and Nico González are considered the go-to options, but Stockport-born Rico Lewis and Mateo Kovačić have also been used in the role.
Once again, although Man City face somewhat of an injury crisis ahead of the Manchester derby this weekend, any prolonged absences could at least see an opportunity arise for the forgotten man.
What do you make of Kalvin Phillips’ chances of being restored to the Manchester City squad and maybe even putting himself back into national team contention ahead of the World Cup?
Emily Sergeant -
24th September 2020 
