All tram lines running through Manchester City Centre are currently being hit with delays following a ‘police incident’ in Piccadilly Gardens.
Images from the scene show a number of police and ambulances, whilst commuters are saying they are facing travel delays.
Reports from witnesses in the area say that all trams have been halted in Piccadilly Gardens. This has since been confirmed by Metrolink this morning.
The tram network operator said an “ongoing disruption” at Piccadilly Gardens was the cause for delays and that a number of service changes would be taking place as a result.
Metrolink tweeted: “Due to an ongoing disruption at Piccadilly Gardens, there are a number of service changes taking place on all lines running through the city centre.
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“We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.”
Updates so far from Metrolink refer to delays on the Bury line, with Metrolink advising services travelling in both directions between Victoria and Bury are affected.
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Metrolink has also reminded customers they can use their tickets on a number of commercial bus services this morning.
More to follow…
Update – trams now running through Piccadilly Gardens, but serious delays elsewhere
Trams are now up and running throughout the city centre however there are still delays on the Bury and Eccles lines as a result of this morning’s tragic incident in which a man was hit by a tram.
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Update – man, 43, hit by tram and rushed to hospital
Police have confirmed that a man was hit by a tram this morning around 7.35 am and has since been taken to hospital. His injuries are not currently being reported as life-threatening.
A statement from GMP said:
“Police were called around 7.35am today (November 3) to a report of a collision involving a tram and a pedestrian in Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester.
“A 43-year-old man has been taken to hospital with injuries not thought to be life threatening or changing.
“Enquiries are ongoing and no arrests were made.
“Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or via our LiveChat at www.gmp.police.uk quoting incident 497 of 03/11/21. Alternatively, details can be passed via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
News
Simon Rimmer shuts final Greater Manchester branch of beloved Greens restaurant
Daisy Jackson
Simon Rimmer’s much-loved Greens restaurant is no more, as the final branch announces its immediate closure.
The vegetarian restaurant launched in Didsbury way back in 1990, but confirmed its shock closure at the start of its year.
The newer Greens restaurant in Sale had remained open for business – until today.
In a statement share online, the restaurant said the business has become ‘untenable’.
The statement, which was shared with a simple broken heart emoji, added that the team have ‘done everything possible’ to stay afloat.
Greens hasn’t shared as much detail about its Sale closure.
They wrote: “It is with deep regret that the board of directors and shareholders have decided to close the doors permanently on Greens Sale with immediate effect.
“We’ve done everything possible to make this work, but it is now clear the business is untenable.
“We’d like to thank everyone, team members & guests, who have been on the Greens journey with us.”
It’s another blow to the Manchester’s famous vegan and vegetarian restaurant scene, which has lost the likes of Wholesome Junkies, Vurger Co, and V Rev all shutting down in the last couple of years.
Wholesome Junkies shut down because of ‘skyrocketing costs’, writing at the time of their closure in July: “The figures just don’t add up, it’s no joke and it’s devastating the hospitality industry.”
Northern blocks access to dating apps and websites on-board trains
Emily Sergeant
Access to dating apps and websites is now blocked on-board trains travelling across the north, it has been revealed.
Northern says there’s “good reason” for taking this decision.
This is because the WiFi provided by the train operator on-board its services travelling across the north of England is delivered under the ‘Friendly WiFi’ scheme, which blocks access to certain categories of content – including those associated with dating.
Websites and apps related to video streaming, gambling, alcohol, adult content, pornography, and nudity are also blocked.
Northern has blocked access to dating apps and websites on-board its trains / Credit: Northern
The company says ‘Friendly WiFi’ – which it has been signed up to since 2017 – ensures its on-board internet service meets “minimum filtering standards” given the fact that children could be present around passengers at all times.
The decision to ban dating apps and websites comes after Northern also urged passengers to stop viewing content that’s “not suitable for work” on its trains and stations in Greater Manchester and beyond, and pleaded for them to “wait until you get home” instead.
Content that Northern considers ‘NSFW’ can range from inappropriate jokes and bad language, right through to offensive topics and explicit material.
The train operator has explained the “good reason” for its decision / Credit: Northern
Northern’s Chief Operating Officer, Matt Rice, said access to “safe and reliable” internet is part of passengers’ expectations.
“Whilst some dating websites and users will operate with appropriate levels of self-moderation, some might not and it’s important that content not suitable for everyone to see or hear, particularly children, isn’t viewed on our trains,” Mr Rice explained.
“It’s simply about ensuring that there is sufficient bandwidth for all our customers to use while they’re on the go.