News

Barriers to be installed under Mancunian Way to prevent ‘persistent dangerous parking’

The council said that drivers entering and exiting the area to park posed "a clear risk" to other road users due to the obstruction caused to the carriageway.

The Manc The Manc - 15th September 2021

Manchester City Council has confirmed that barriers are to be installed along the underside of the Mancunian Way to prevent “persistent dangerous parking”.

The decision comes after motorists were found to have been using the land directly underneath the motorway to park for free for a number of months, instead of using dedicated car parks in the city centre. 

The council said that drivers entering and exiting the area to park posed “a clear risk” to other road users due to the obstruction caused to the carriageway.

But as “dangerous and frustrating” as this situation was, a legal technicality actually prevented Manchester City Council’s enforcement officers from issuing fines to these motorists as the Mancunian Way overpass and the land underneath is managed by Highways England and is not part of the council’s adopted road network. 

This meant that a Traffic Regulation Order could not legally be issued, nor could officers fine offenders. 

ADVERTISEMENT

However, the council said it so “determined” to prevent this behaviour continuing, that since it first came to light all the back near the start of 2020, it has been working to secure funding for a permanent solution. 

And so, the council confirmed that work has begun at 5am this morning to install metal barriers along the length of the route to close it off to any drivers attempting to park on it. to install metal barriers along the length of the route to close it off to any drivers attempting to park on it. 

ADVERTISEMENT

This temporary measure will be followed up in several weeks time when a permanent wooden rail will be installed. 

The council said it will be working with Greater Manchester Police during this period to “prevent any further breach of this new perimeter fencing”.

Speaking on the decision to install the barriers, Councillor Tracey Rawlins – Executive Member for Environment at Manchester City Council – said: “People taking it upon themselves to park under the Mancunian Way were posing a serious threat to other road users and this was something we could not allow to keep happening. 

ADVERTISEMENT

“The road is fast moving and leads into other major routes in and out of the city and frankly, it is amazing that a serious accident has not taken place as a result. 

“A lot of money has been wasted to rectify damage caused to the landscaping areas, and even more will now be spent to close this area off permanently. 

“There are thousands of other car parking spaces in the city centre which I would encourage drivers to use, or, for those who are able, walk, cycle or take advantage of public transport links which run in and out of Manchester.”

Featured Image and Thumbnail – Twitter (@Jamesdestafford) | Twitter (@MCRCycleSam)

 

News

Touching tribute paid to man and his dog who died together in fatal collision

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Touching tribute paid to man and his dog who died together in fatal collision

The family of a man who was killed in a fatal collision last month, alongside his beloved dog, have paid tribute to him.

Andrew Old, 61, had been walking along Greenwood Road in Wythenshawe when he was struck by a vehicle that had been involved in a collision.

He had been waking his ‘lovely’ dog, Liddy, who also died at the scene.

Emergency services rushed to the scene on Sunday 9 March but tragically both Andrew and his beloved pet passed away.

Paying tribute to him, Andrew’s family said: “Andrew was our happy go lucky brother and he is so sadly missed by us all.

“We miss his smiles, his laughter, his jokes and his hourly phone calls.

“Words cannot describe the shock and disbelief that we feel due to the loss of Andrew, we are absolutely devastated.

“Andrew tragically died only metres from his home, whilst walking his lovely dog Liddy.

“The only solace we have is that Andrew and Liddy were not alone at such a horrific time and that they were together. Andrew and Liddy will always be in our hearts.”

Read more

Featured image: GMP

News

You can live in a Greater Manchester manor house from the 1700s

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

There’s a manor house which dates back to the 1700s that’s just gone on the market in Greater Manchester.

Now, obviously, we know Manchester is the best place on Earth and, naturally, people have been wanting to live here since the 18th century (and even earlier).

Westerhill House in Ashton is a property that dates back to 1764, and now you could be the next lucky owner to live in this five-bedroom property, which really is a piece of living history.

The legacy of this property spans more than just this country house site, as the previous tenants – who inhabited the house until 1964 – actually provided the rivets for the Eiffel Tower on behalf of their company, Park Bridge Ironworks.

The grand entrance to this 1700's manor house in Ashton.
The grand entrance to this 1700’s manor house in Ashton.
The hamlet in which this Greater Manchester property resides.
The hamlet in which this Greater Manchester property resides.
Credit: On The Market

One particular room in this manor house features the work of a well-known Mancunian architect, Donald Reeve Buttress, who spent more than a decade at Westminster Abbey until his departure in 1999.

On the estate agent’s website, each room is described as being individually detailed with its specific role in the house, and if you think you don’t have enough space for all your stuff, think again.

This 1700s character manor house has a room for just about anything you could possibly think of, including a billiard room (posh word for pool) and a wine cellar – I know which room I’ll be accidentally getting myself locked in once a week…

This Ashton historical property spans three floors, with the downstairs being the smallest in size with only one room, while the ground floor boasts 10 and the first floor has eight designated rooms.

As you enter the living space, there is an entrance hall that leads to a bigger hall and a staircase; meanwhile, there is a breakout room immediately on the right side leading to a toilet and a dedicated boot room. Handy.

On your left-hand side as you step through the front door, there is another bigger breakout room which hosts the impressive billiard room and seating area, which is a considerably large space.

The conservatory designed by architect from Westminster Abbey.
The conservatory designed by architect from Westminster Abbey.
The main hall which leads to various rooms in this 1700s Ashton manor house.
The main hall which leads to various rooms in this 1700s Ashton manor house.
Credit: Supplied

Step through to the main hall and you’ll find doors leading to the dining room, kitchen space and a lounge which has an adjoining conservatory.

It’s this very conservatory that was designed by none other than Buttress himself, who worked at Westminster Abbey for 11 years as the ‘Surveyor of the Fabric’.

Any loyal Ashtonians will also be impressed with the stained glass window in the inner hallway, which also happens to contain a depiction of the ‘Black Knight of Ashton-Under-Lyne‘.

Moving upstairs, you find a wide landing which leads to all four bedrooms and three bathrooms, two of which are en-suites.

This 1700s manor house is currently listed for offers in the region of £750,000, and although it may be historic in age and interior, in terms of broadband, the property apparently has super-fast broadband.

The billiard room with adjoining seating area.
The billiard room with adjoining seating area.
Curved seating area overlooking the stunning garden space.
Curved seating area overlooking the stunning garden space.

Ever get bored of looking around this magnificent and interesting mansion’s four walls? This house is situated in a lovely hamlet located close to Daisy Nook Country Park.

Of course, we understand that a lot of us reading certainly can’t afford a property of this nature, but when the manor house is rooted in this much history, it would be rude not to have a snoop on the official site.

Oh, and if that wasn’t enough browsing for you, there’s a three-bed coach house up for sale in this same exact Ashton hamlet, also dating back to the 1700s. Cool, right?

Check it out HERE.

Read more:

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

Featured Image: Supplied via On The Market

More News

Travel warning issued ahead of busiest weekend of the year for Manchester Marathon

Boroughs

Travel warning issued as Manchester braces for busiest day of the year so far

Boroughs

The viral factory in Oldham that sells £2 Colin the Caterpillar cakes

No headphones policy fine Lib Dems proposal

Music

The ‘headphone dodger’ proposal that could see people who play loud music on public transport fined

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches