News

Avanti West Coast and TransPennine Express ban all e-scooters over ‘safety concerns’

The safety concerns over the risks posed by the Lithium-ion batteries that typically power these devices.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 28th December 2022

Avanti West Coast and TransPennine Express (TPE) have now banned e-scooters on all services amid rising “safety concerns”.

As of yesterday (27 December 2022), the two companies became the latest train operators to introduce a ban on all e-scooters, hoverboards, and e-skateboards within stations and on train services in Greater Manchester and across the UK, as safety concerns over the risks posed by the Lithium-ion batteries that typically power these devices continue to rise.

Lithium-ion batteries can produce a vapour of toxic gases and lead to a fire or a risk of explosion if damaged or overheated, the train operators explained.

Avanti West Coast and TPE have joined several other train operators in banning these devices from this week, and this comes after Northern notably banned them on its 345 trains and at 500+ stations across the North of England at the start of this month too.

Northern said customer and staff safety was its “number one priority” when it introduced the ban.

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Avanti West Coast and TransPennine Express ban all e-scooters over ‘safety concerns’ / Credit: Let’s Kick (via Unsplash)

“As these devices have become more and more popular, so have the horror stories of lithium batteries overheating and catching fire,” the train operator explained.

“Most of these devices are not actually approved for use in the UK, and our staff will refuse travel to anyone attempting to board one of our trains, or access one of our stations with such a device.”

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Avanti West Coast echoed similar concerns, and confirmed in a statement that the ban is temporary and intended to “preserve the safety of our colleagues and customers until there is greater regulation on e-scooters”, before going on to ask the public to “adhere to these new rules” and “be kind to our staff helping to enforce them”.

TPE called the risks associated with e-scooters and similar devices something of “significant concern”, and referenced the fact that most of these devices are “not approved for use in the UK”.

The safety concerns over the risks posed by the Lithium-ion batteries that typically power these devices / Credit: Michel Grolet (via Unsplash)

Currently, the only e-scooters legal to use on UK roads are those taking part in government-approved rental trial schemes – which began back in 2020 to help gather data for the potential full legalisation of the devices.

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E-scooters are actually classed as motor vehicles, which therefore means that the rules that apply to motor vehicles also apply to e-scooters – including being in possession of a full UK driving license, insurance, and the need to be taxed.

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Mobility scooters, electric wheelchairs, and e-bikes are all exempt from all bans.

With the bans now introduced, customers who are travelling with mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs on each of the three train providers are being advised to contact the companies ahead of their journey to arrange assistance.

Featured Image – Gotrax (via Unsplash)

News

Manchester City start work on next phase of stadium expansion, hotel, museum and more

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester City new stadium expansion next phase

Manchester City have officially started work on the next phase of their ambitious stadium expansion plans which will see their capacity increase and the wider Etihad Campus transformed into a ‘best-in-class entertainment venue’.

Planning permission for the Etihad Stadium update was secured back in July 2023 and the club has confirmed that the first steel beams have now been installed after arriving in recent weeks.

The £300 million project will not only see the Etihad’s capacity climb from 53,400 to over 60,000 but, as previously detailed, the City Football Group‘s plans also entail the creation of a brand new club shop and museum, an integrated 400-bed hotel as well as an updated fan zone set to house around 3000.

With the initial steel framework now in place, not only has ground now been broken 12 months on from full arrival and just in time for the club’s 130th birthday, but they’re already making fast progress.

Man City and CFG issue update on £300m stadium and Etihad Campus expansion.

Man City fans can expect to see the number of seats jump up in time for the 2025/26 season, with the bulk of the stadium expansion and other renovations taking place around the North Stand – the tier facing opposite the brand-new Co-op Live Arena, which faced setbacks this week.

In addition to the other main leisure attractions, once completed, the newly expanded stand will also boast a sky bar and stadium roof walk above the upper tier, giving fans and tourists the chance to enjoy unique views of the pitch and the Manchester skyline.

Drawing parallels to Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium, which was finally completed back in 2019, this will see City once again trying to assert themselves at the forefront of modern football experiences.

Moreover, with neighbouring Co-op Live arriving as a joint venture between the CFG and Oak View Groups, the Etihad Campus is perfectly poised to achieve the owners’ goal of becoming a “world-class, all-year-round entertainment venue”.

man city museum sky bar
man city new hotel
Those working on the Manchester City stadium expansion (Credit: Tom Barton via Man City)

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Importantly for the East Manchester district, the stadium infrastructure project will also bring job opportunities and economic growth to the area, with the club insisting they want to build on their “long-standing investment and commitment to its local community”.

As per an official press release, it is estimated that approximately 890 full-time roles will be created during the construction phase alone and even more are expected to be delivered once Manchester City’s new hotel, museum, sky bar and dedicated fan zones are finished.

Speaking at the site, Managing Director of Manchester City Operations, Danny Wilson, said:
“It’s been an exciting few months with the arrival and installation of the first steels and
fantastic to see the development and progress of the build in recent weeks.

“This project has been designed with our fans at its heart and demonstrates our commitment
to creating one of the most memorable fan experiences in world sport. Fans will have the
opportunity to extend their matchday by joining us at the new covered fan zone, visiting the
museum, or staying at the hotel… The next evolution of the campus is well underway and it’s great to mark the progress being made.”

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

Featured Images — Manchester City (supplied)

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Chester Zoo named best zoo in the UK thanks to more than 11,000 ‘excellent’ ratings

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

It’s official… Chester Zoo has been named to best zoo in the UK for 2024.

Everyone in and around Greater Manchester and the North West is familiar with just how brilliant the UK’s biggest charity zoo is and all the work it contributes towards conservation and protecting endangered species all across the world – but now, it’s got itself a respectable new title to prove it, and it’s all thanks to tens of thousands of positive TripAdvisor reviews.

The world’s biggest travel guidance platform has named Chester Zoo as the best-rated zoo to visit in the UK this year, with more than 11,000 ‘Excellent’ ratings.

Based on millions of online reviews, the new ranking puts the beloved Cheshire-based attraction ahead of the country’s other zoos after earning consistently good feedback from its visitors.

Chester Zoo has been named the best zoo in the UK for 2024 / Credit: Chester Zoo

According to Chester Zoo, the “wonderful news” means that, as a conservation charity, it can continue its work with countries across the world to “help all animals survive and thrive”, as well as provide expert care to the 37,000 animals who currently call the zoo their home.

The zoo has also thanked its visitors for all their continued support each year, as this allows to “keep making a difference”.

“With every admission ticket, membership, animal adoption, or experience purchased, you are contributing to our mission of preventing extinction,” Chester Zoo said in a statement.

Speaking on the coveted new TripAdvisor title, Jamie Chirston, who is the CEO at Chester Zoo, says he’s “over the moon to be named the best zoo in the UK”, adding in a statement that: “It’s an incredible achievement and especially pleasing given it’s based on thousands upon thousands of genuine reviews and opinions.

“It’s a real seal of approval from our visitors, and testament to every single one of our dedicated, hardworking, and talented staff that make our conservation zoo the wonderful place it is.

“Every time someone walks through our gates, not only do they enjoy all kinds of wildlife experiences and a have great day out, but they’re also contributing to the vital conservation work we carry out here and around the world, and that’s why, as a not-for-profit conservation zoo, this top TripAdvisor ranking means such an awful lot to us.

It’s all thanks to more than 11,000 ‘Excellent’ ratings by visitors on TripAdvisor / Credit: Chester Zoo

“It’s confirmation that we’re getting things right for our visitors, [which is] especially important as, together, we’re preventing extinction and making a real difference for wildlife.”

The UK’s best zoo isn’t the only title Chester Zoo has claimed this month either, as TripAdvisor has also listed it as the eighth-best zoo or aquarium to visit in the whole of Europe too.

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So it double congratulations are in order – and they couldn’t be more well-deserved, right?

Featured Image – Chester Zoo

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