News

Commuters warned heatwave will cause ‘rail delays’ across the North West

Network Rail says journeys are expected to take "significantly longer".

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 15th July 2022

Rail commuters across Greater Manchester and the North West are being warned that the UK heatwave will most likely cause train delays.

Network Rail has issued a statement all those who travel by trail to only make journeys that are “absolutely necessary” during the potentially record-breaking hot temperatures that are forecast to hit large parts of the UK from Monday 18 July.

The warning comes after the Met Office has today issued a Red weather warning for extreme heat in the east of England, the Midlands and parts of the North West on Monday and Tuesday for the first time in UK history – with temperatures forecast to reach as high as 40°C in some areas.

An amber warning for heat is also in place across the rest of England, Wales, and some parts of southern Scotland.

The currently0forecasted temperatures will see the introduction of speed restrictions on railway lines across the country to ensure the safe running of trains, Network Rail has confirmed, and although the impact on train services will vary by region, journeys are expected to take “significantly longer”.

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There is also said to be a “high likelihood” of cancellations, delays, and last-minute alterations to services across the North West.

Read more: Met Office issues the UK’s first ever Red warning for ‘extreme heat’

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Network Rail says that passengers who choose to travel despite the warning are being advised to check the status of their journey before travelling, and should make sure that they are well-prepared for the extreme conditions.

The rail provider is advising that people wear cool clothes, take handheld fans, and ensure they have plenty of water to drink.

Vulnerable passengers and those with health conditions should avoid train travel.

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The Met Office has issued a Red warning for extreme heat for the first time ever in the UK on Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 July / Credit: Met Office

“There will be delays and cancellations to train services due to the unprecedented heat we’re expecting,” said Jake Kelly – Group Director at Network Rail’s System Operator.

“The wellbeing of our passengers is our first priority so we’re asking all passengers who decide to travel to take time to prepare before leaving the house.

“Journeys will take significantly longer and delays are likely as speed restrictions are introduced to keep passengers and railway staff safe, so make sure to allow considerably more time to complete your journey and be prepared for very hot conditions [but] we’re working closely to monitor forecasts and adapt our plans, and with our train operator colleagues to make sure we can get passengers who need to travel to their destinations safely.”

Passengers are advised to check before they travel next week at www.nationalrail.co.uk or with their direct train operators.

Featured Image – Network Rail

News

Manchester Remembers Foundation announces its return for a special anniversary charity match

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester Remembers charity game back in 2027

The Manchester Remembers Foundation has announced the return of its charity football game in 2027, which will coincide with a special anniversary close to all Mancunians.

For those unaware, the MCR Remembers charity matches were set up in memory of the Manchester Arena victims, helping raise funds for the families of the 22 who sadly died in the attack.

While the fifth iteration of what started out as an annual vision, set for this past summer, was sadly cancelled back in May and the Foundation itself seemingly shut down, the co-founders have decided they’re not ready for it all to end just yet.

Somewhat quietly confirming the return of the fundraising footy match on social media, the next fixture will be returning next year, which marks a full decade since the tragedy.

Writing a slightly lengthier statement on Instagram, MCR Remembers creators Aaron Lee and Paul Corrigan said: “No matter how difficult things get and how little support we get from people in positions to help, we have to keep going.

“We take inspiration from the brave and courageous people who were so closely involved with the arena attack. We will continue to remember those affected and celebrate their legacy.

“We are planning a spectacular return for the 10th anniversary in 2027. Plans and talks to begin shortly
We will reassess after that event. As always, thank you to those that stuck by us. We see you, and we appreciate every single one of you. Stay tuned. Aaron / Paul.”

Lee – a local and a former police officer on 22 May 2017 – set up the organisation with his friend and fellow fundraiser (10 marathons in 10 months) with the aim of not only honouring those lost but also to help raise vital funds for their families and native bereavement charities.

They’re two incredibly inspiring individuals who have done a lot to help those in and around Greater Manchester, as well as keep that date in our heads and hearts.

Now a firefighter and having helped raise more than £200,000 for the six associated charities overall, he was presented with the Chief Fire Officer’s Commendation award in August 2024.

Although information is still scarce in these early stages, The MCR Remembers Foundation has assured that details regarding exactly when and where the game is set to take place will be shared over the coming week and months.

It goes without saying that we here at The Manc are glad to see the moving charity match being confirmed for a comeback, even if it’s only for a one-off, and can’t wait to see which ex-pros and celebrity players get involved.

Then again, who knows? A successful return could signal the start of a fully-fledged revival, and we sincerely hope it does.

Watch this space and see you next year for the anniversary edition of Manchester Remembers 2027.

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Featured Images — The Manc Group

News

Manchester given extra £3m funding to help ‘prevent’ homelessness and rough sleeping

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Manchester has been handed a £3 million funding boost to help ‘prevent’ homelessness and rough sleeping across the city.

The ‘substantial’ extra funding, which was announced by the Government last week on World Homelessness Day (10 October), will be a top-up to Manchester City Council’s existing homelessness funding up until 2027 in recognition of the continuing pressures that Manchester and other UK areas are currently under. 

The Council says it’s already begun to set out plans for how the extra money will be spent to make sure it has the ‘maximum impact’.  

At this time, it’s expected that around £550,000 of the funding will be awarded by the Council as grants to organisations in the city’s Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector – which are supporting people who are homeless, or are at risk of homelessness.

Manchester has been given an extra £3m funding to help ‘prevent’ homelessness and rough sleeping / Credit: Gary Knight (via Flickr)

Other funding will be used to ‘bolster support’ to help people in temporary accommodation move on to settled homes. 

The funding will also be used to adapt temporary accommodation for people with physical disabilities and other needs, which will meet the demand for such housing, while 180 ‘care leavers’ who would otherwise be at risk of homelessness will also be housed in shared rented homes.  

Finally, part of the funding will be used to help ensure social housing in the city is available to those who need it most – including a major crackdown on tenancy fraud, back efforts to bring empty homes back into use, and help people whose existing social housing is too large for their needs to ‘right size’, freeing up larger homes for families. 

“Tackling the homelessness crisis is one of Manchester’s biggest priorities and, working with our community partners across the city, we are turning the tide,” commented Cllr Bev Craig, who is the Leader of Manchester City Council.

“In Manchester, we are working tirelessly to prevent people from becoming homeless in the first place through early help, and to ensure anyone who does become homeless gets the support they need to build new lives in settled homes.

Read more:

“We welcome today’s extra funding boost from Government which, nationally, adds an extra £84 million to the billion that was committed earlier in the year.”

Featured Image – Flickr

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