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Brand new ‘CYCLOPS’ cycle junction opens in Hulme

The first of its kind in the UK, the CYCLOPS junction segregates cyclists from general traffic and allows right turns.

The Manc The Manc - 7th July 2020

The UK’s first Cycle Optimised Protected Signals junction has been installed in Hulme.

Designed to make busy streets safer for all users, the CYCLOPS junction protects cyclists by segregating them from general traffic with specially-allocated lanes.

Cyclists can approach the CYCLOPS from “four arms” – with a cycle track completely encircling the junction and enabling safe right turns.

The CYCLOPS is part of the £13.4m Manchester to Chorlton Cycleway, with the section running between the Chester Road roundabout and Stretford Road.

Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for the Environment, Planning and Transport, Councillor Angeliki Stogia, said: “The CYCLOPS junction maximises opportunities for safer cycling and walking in this area, while making the performance of the junction more efficient for all road users.  

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“As we gradually welcome Mancunians back to their city centre, we’re really looking forward to seeing this trailblazing feature becoming a landmark part of what is a well-used commuter route.

She continued: “This UK-first junction is a symbol of our desire to create permanent, high-quality cycling and walking infrastructure, which will support the long-term shift to active travel that we want to see right across the city.

“And it is only the latest milestone in our ambitious plans to invest in a network of safe routes for people travelling on foot or by bike.  We’re continuing to move forward with our £79m pipeline of projects, which will enable more people across the city to make the switch to walking and cycling for their everyday journeys.”

Chris Boardman, cycling and walking commissioner for Greater Manchester, called the design “simply genius.”

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He added: “Crossing busy junctions on foot or by bike can be a complicated and scary experience and is often a huge barrier for people travelling by foot or bike, and having to navigate a number of these can make them opt for the car,

“This junction design will make journeys easier and smoother for those doing their bit by cycling or walking, without impacting negatively on any other modes.”

Now that phase one of the cycleways project is complete, work will soon commence on the stretch of tarmac running from Moss Lane East.  

News

Some of the best St. Patrick’s Day deals, offers and specials in Manchester city centre this year

Danny Jones Danny Jones Best St Patrick's Day deals offers and specials in Manchester 2026

St Patrick’s Day 2026 is nearly upon us, and we can’t wait to drink a river of Guinness, sing old Irish classics, dance a jig and be generally merry.

It’s a good job we know exactly where to make the most of the festivities then, isn’t it?

The best Paddy’s Day deals and offers around Manchester | 2026

1. Cheap Guinness and brilliant, beefy pies at The Black Friar – Salford

First up on our list this year, the beautiful Black Friar pub and bistro over on the edge of Salford is doing £4.50 Guinness for St. Patrick’s Day 2026 – one of the best prices you’ll find in town these days.

But that’s not all: they’re also doing a special Guinness and Beef Pie special, which you can grab with a pint of the good stuff for £17, plus £15 bottles of wine, as well as beers and cocktails for just a fiver. You can book a table HERE.

Credit: Supplied/The Manc Group

2. St Patrick’s Day specials at Hello Oriental – Oxford Road

More of a fun little one-off rather than a deal or discount, per se, but when we saw that even pan-Asian food hall Hello Oriental was getting involved with Paddy’s Day, we couldn’t ignore it.

As well as they’re already viral spice bags, they’re also doing a Black Bean Guinness Noodles dish – available with chicken or completely vegan – and we’ll admit we’re very keen to try it for ourselves.

@the.manc The salt and pepper spice bag has landed at @Hello Oriental MCR – but the big question is, are you going sweet and sour or curry sauce? 🤤 #themanc #manchester #spicebag #irish #ireland #manchesterfood #manchestereats #hellooriental #saltandpepper #takeaway #takeawayfood #manchestercitycentre #manchesterfoodie ♬ original sound – The Manc

3. Lots of the black stuff at Black Cat Club – Central

No-nonsense here: £5 pints of black gold, £2.50 shots of Baby Guinness, and a special ‘Frozen Fat Frog’ cocktail, which is basically an alcoholic slushie with Blue WKD, Smirnoff Ice and Orange Bacardi Breezer.

They’ve also got a special Irish-themed food menu for the weekend, too, including Guinness-glazed wings, spice bags, which can be enjoyed with crispy chicken and chip shop curry sauce.

Plus, there are always games to be played. (Credit: The Manc)

4. A big St. Patrick’s Day party on Peter Street – Deansgate

Albert’s Schloss remains one of the best nights in town for all seasons, so it’s no surprise that they’re throwing a smashing St. Patrick’s Day bash every year.

This time around, there’ll be ‘Kunst Kabarat’, Celtic comfort foods like pie, Irish boxty and sticky toffee pudding serving out of the Cook Haus, as well as prizes to be won like free merch, drinks tokens and even £100 off your bill. Tickets are available now.

Credit: Albert’s Schloss (supplied)

5. Free entry and MUCH more at O’Malleys – Portland Street

At the other end of the spectrum, you could argue that free entry isn’t anything too spectacular, but it’s becoming increasingly common on Paddy’s Day, and luckily, O’Malleys has lots of other stuff going on too – all the way until 4am.

How about merch, ‘Seflie Guinness’ (with you face on) from their ‘Stoutie’ machine, a happy hour running from 3-6pm on 16, 18 and 20 March, with £6 cocktails, £4 selected beers/ciders, £18 house wine and £5 Guinness available? Oh, and they also do bottomless Guinness brunches, too, so yeah – there’s plenty.

6. Guinness pastries, pies and plenty of pints at O’Connell’s – Oxford Road

It may not be the Thirsty Scholar anymore, but what that does mean is they go extra ham over at O’Connell’s at this time of year nowadays – and they’re bringing back an exclusive fan favourite special as well.

As well as the recent and extremely popular beef and Guinness collab with V. Goode Pies returning for the day, they’ve also teamed up with Half Dozen Other to create a Guinness Pain Suisse – yes, really – which will serve as arguably the best pub snacks in the entire city come 17 March 2026.

Credit: The Manc Eats/Half Dozen Other (via Instagram)

7. 50% off special Paddy’s Day cocktails at Slug & Lettuce – Piccadilly (only)

Everyone knows the Slug, it doesn’t need any introduction – BUT, they’ll likely be busy all week around Paddy’s Day and do have a banging offer this year.

They’re doing a Paddy’s Apple and Lemonade made with the brand’s fruity Irish whisky, topped with apple juice and lemonade for half price between 16 March and 12 April, when you download the MiXR app ahead of time. Simple as that.

Read more:

Now, this is by no means a comprehensive list; we just thought we’d put you on to a few good ones we’ve seen in and around the city.

And, of course, if you spot any good St. Patrick’s Day deals in Manchester, do let us know and drop them in the comments for everyone to make the most of.

We hope you enjoy the celebrations, and please drink responsibly.

Before you leave us, you might as well check out some of our favourite Irish pubs and bars in the area for Paddy’s Day 2026…

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The very best Irish pubs and bars in Manchester

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

Featured Images — The Manc Group/supplied

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Ofcom says tech and social media platforms ‘must enforce’ their minimum age rules

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Social media phone

Ofcom has issued an urgent warning, calling on major sites and apps to enforce their minimum age rules with highly-effective age checks.

As it examines continued failings by these services, the online safety regulator says it has this week written to the major sites and apps that young people use the most – including Facebook, Instagram, Roblox, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube – requiring them to prove to parents a ‘genuine commitment’ to protecting children online.

Since the UK’s online safety laws came into force last year, Ofcom says it has been investigating nearly a hundred different services.

The regulator has taken enforcement action, secured changes to disrupt the sharing of child sexual abuse material, and seen high-risk services either get in line or block access to the UK altogether, as well as ensuring that millions of daily visits to porn sites now require highly effective age checks.

Major platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Telegram, Discord, and Reddit have also introduced age controls to prevent children accessing adult or harmful content.

But still, there is more that needs to be done.

“While there are many examples of progress to be welcomed, the industry has not done enough,” Ofcom said in a damning statement.

It claims parents, carers, and guardians have ‘lost trust in tech firms’ ability to keep their children safe’, even despite the Government is consulting on further legislative measures to address public concern.

Four ‘clear’ demands for further action have been set out by the regulator this week – effective minimum-age policies and reinforcement of these, strict child grooming protections, safer feeds and algorithms for children, and an end to product testing – particularly AI tools – on children.

People on mobile phones
Ofcom says tech and social media platforms ‘must enforce’ their minimum age rules / Credit: Robin Worrall (via Unsplash)

Ofcom says it has given the aforementioned platforms a deadline of 30 April to report back to it on the action they will take, and then the following month, the regulator will report on how the companies have responded and announce any next steps for regulatory action.

Speaking on the warning issued this week, Dame Melanie Dawes, Ofcom’s Chief Executive, said: “These online services are household names, but they’re failing to put children’s safety at the heart of their products.

“There is a gap between what tech companies promise in private, and what they’re doing publicly to keep children safe on their platforms.

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“Without the right protections, like effective age checks, children have been routinely exposed to risks they didn’t choose, on services they can’t realistically avoid. That must now change quickly, or Ofcom will act.”

Featured Image – Julian Christ (via Unsplash)

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