Greater Manchester is to begin trialling state-of-the-art cameras which can automatically detect drivers who are distracted.
The new ‘Heads Up’ technology captures footage of passing vehicles before the images are processed using artificial intelligence (AI) to detect potential offending drivers – including those using mobile phones behind the wheel, or not wearing a seat belt
According to Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), footage that is deemed to contain evidence of an offence is then sent for a secondary human check to confirm, but only then if an image shows that no offence has been committed, will it be deleted immediately by the software and no further action will be taken.
The camera system by Acusensus was first trialled by National Highways back in 2021, and has been used by police forces and local highways authorities across the UK ever since.
Greater Manchester will trial cameras that automatically detect ‘distracted’ drivers / Credit: Peter Trimming (via Geograph) | TfGM
The campaign to introduce the new cameras was supported by Calvin Buckley, whose partner Frankie Hough and their unborn daughter Neeve died in May 2023 after a speeding driver – who was filming himself reaching speeds of 123mph on the M66 in Bury – crashed into her car which had stopped on the hard shoulder.
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Between 2014 and 2023, there were 138 people killed or seriously injured following road traffic collisions in Greater Manchester where driver distraction was a contributing factor, TfGM has confirmed.
Of those deaths, 23 people lost their lives in a road traffic collision where the driver was using a mobile phone, and in 2020, one in four people killed in Greater Manchester wasn’t wearing a seat belt.
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Driving while distracted is listed among the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s ‘fatal four’ causes of road traffic collisions.
Speaking ahead of the roll-out of the new cameras across the region next week, Peter Boulton, who TfGM’s Network Director for Highways, said: “In Greater Manchester, we know that distractions and not wearing seat belts are key factors in a number of road traffic collisions on our roads which have resulted in people being killed or seriously injured.
“By utilising this state-of-the-art technology provided by Acusensus, we hope to gain a better understanding of how many drivers break the law in this way, whilst also helping to reduce these dangerous driving practices and make our roads safer for everyone.”
Heads Up will be deployed at several locations across Greater Manchester from Tuesday 3 September on a trial basis.
Featured Image – TfGM
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Popular grassroots music festival to return to hidden Manchester street with new fringe events
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s much-loved grassroots music festival is back next month, and this year, there’s some new fringe events too.
Set across a handful of popular venues up on Deansgate Mews – including The Lion’s Den, Low Four Studios and The Mews Bar – Deansgate Mews Festival is returning for its sixth year this late May bank holiday weekend.
More than 40 music artists will be performing on a mix of outdoor and intimate indoor stages.
But that’s not all, as in what’s set to be an exciting new chapter for 2026, the festival is expanding beyond its core programme with the launch of the first-ever Mews Fest Fringe too.
Popular grassroots music festival Mews Fest returns this late May bank holiday / Credit: Supplied
The inaugural Mews Fest Fringe will be hosted in a large unit within Great Northern Warehouse, which will be transformed into a ‘vibrant’ hub celebrating music, art and independent culture.
Designed as a platform for Manchester’s creative community, the festival space will welcome artists, designers, collectors, and creative entrepreneurs to showcase and sell their work while connecting with festival-goers.
At the Fringe event, you can expect everything from record sellers and vinyl collectors, to vintage clothes, arts and crafts makers, independent creatives, and even bands selling merchandise.
This year there’s also the addition of the Mews Fest Fringe / Credit: Supplied
Already known for its strong grassroots ethos and growing reputation, Mews Fest continues to champion local talent and independent culture – but now with the addition of the Fringe event, the stage is set for its most ‘ambitious and inclusive’ edition to date.
Oh and the best bit? Both festivals will be free to attend, with no need to book tickets beforehand.
Mews Fest and Mews Fest Fringe will take over Deansgate Mews next month on late May bank holiday weekend from Friday 22 – Monday 26 May.
Featured Image – Supplied
News
Peter Kay announces four intimate charity shows in Greater Manchester – but only for these postcodes
Emily Sergeant
Peter Kay has just announced four intimate shows to raise money for a very worthy cause… but you can only get tickets if you live in these particular postcodes.
Comedy legend Peter Kay is set to return home to the Bolton Albert Halls for four very special hometown shows in this summer, marking his first performances at the venue more than two decades.
Taking to the very stage where he recorded the UK’s biggest-selling stand-up DVD, it’s set to be a proper nostalgic homecoming for one of Britain’s most beloved comedians.
The summer shows – which are taking place from 9 – 11 July 2026, even including a matinee performance – this is a rare chance for local fans to be part of something incredibly special, with all funds raised going to Bolton Hospice.
But, there’s a bit of a catch… you’ll only be able to get tickets if you live in Bolton (and some parts of Bury), as it’s strictly limited to BL postcodes.
Peter Kay Live at the Bolton Albert Halls – 2026 Dates
Thursday 9 July (Evening)
Friday 10 July (Evening)
Saturday 11 July (Matinee)
Saturday 11 July (Evening)
Tickets officially go on sale Friday 24 April at 10am, and you can get your hands on them here.
Emily Sergeant -
29th August 2024 
