News

Council calls on public to suggest names for new public square in Stretford

Well... this should be fun.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 6th May 2024

The Greater Manchester public is being called on to help name a brand-new public square in the heart of Stretford.

Could we have another ‘Boaty McBoatface’ on our hands? As far as public naming competitions go, the comical suggestion for the name of a new RMS ship back in 2016 – which was then given to a fleet of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) instead – will probably always lead the way as the most well-known entrant.

But now, it’s Greater Manchester‘s turn to give it a go and get creative with their naming suggestions, as Trafford Council inviting the local community to name a brand-new public square that’s set to open in the heart of Stretford next year.

Connecting the newly restored King Street and Pinnington Lane, Trafford Council says the new public square will play “a key part in the transformation of the area” and be a “focal point” for the area – with lots of greenery, seating areas, and spaces to “meet, rest and play” and host events too.

Residents are being encouraged to “put their imprint on the Square” by putting forward their suggestions for its name.

All the entries will be condensed into a shortlist and the public will then vote on their favourite.

With the naming competition fully underway, Trafford residents now have the opportunity to talk to the Stretford town centre team, get creative, and post entries into the voting box that’ll be in place in Stretford Mall up until Sunday 19 May, as well as submit their ideas via the Stretford town centre website.

To come up with their names suggestions, the Council wants residents to take inspiration from these three themes:

  • Heritage – celebrating the fascinating history embedded into Stretford’s identity 
  • Culture – showcasing the rich and vibrant cultural tapestry that defines the essence of the town and its residents 
  • Community  – reflecting the strong sense of unity among Stretford’s residents, making the town a welcoming place to live, work, and socialise.

After submissions are closed, the Stretford town centre forum will then decide on three entries that “best represent the area” and have made best use of the inspiration topics to go to the public vote for the final decision.

A town centre polling station will be open for residents to cast their votes in person, or they can do so online via both a Google form or a range of social media polls.

The public vote will officially close on Sunday 16 June, and the unveiling ceremony will take place at The StretFest on Saturday 6 July, where the winner and name of the new public square will be announced.

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Fancy shooting a suggestion then? Find out more on the Stretford Town Centre website here.

Featured Image – STC / Bruntwood

News

Greater Manchester Mayors deliver update on Salford Red Devils situation

Danny Jones Danny Jones Mayor Andy Burnham statement update after Salford Red Devils RFL meeting

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham revealed details from the minutes of his meeting with the Rugby Football League (RFL) over the August bank holiday, sharing key updates from the crucial sit-down in hopes of securing the future of Salford Red Devils.

The Mayor and his Salford counterpart, Paul Dennett, met with chief executive Tony Sutton and other key RFL figures to discuss the ongoing crisis at Salford Red Devils, who remain on the brink of collapse.

For context, amid growing financial pressures and having to loan players from other clubs to stay afloat, the club had to reassure fans that their most recent fixture this past weekend would even go ahead following the late cancellation of the previous round against Wakefield Trinity.

Supporters marched on the streets of 0161’s second city in the immediate aftermath, expressing their dismay at the continuing struggles both behind the scenes and off the pitch, and Burnham was quick to call a meeting with the RFL as a result. The fans have remained in full voice throughout.

Posting a joint statement on social media, the pair wrote: “We would like to take the opportunity to thank the RFL and clubs across the Super League for their ongoing commitment to assist Salford Red Devils in fulfilling all other fixtures and get the club to the end of the season.

“Following that meeting, we have requested a meeting this Friday with the Jacobsen Management Group, the current owners, to discuss our serious concerns over the future of the club.

“The impending HMRC court hearing, the failure to meet tax obligations, the delay in payment of wages, and the lack of financial investment have resulted in a complete loss of confidence in the ownership among fans and the wider Salford and rugby community.”

Stating that “Salford Red Devils [still] face an uncertain future”, leading fan group The 1873 confessed that while it has been seen as a “welcome step”, it nevertheless “felt short of reassurance and commitment we’d hoped for.”

In short, they said: “We will no longer sit back while the club we love is reduced to a shell by those who do not speak to us, do not listen, and do not understand what Salford means.” They also called out the somewhat one foot in, one foot out ownership group and so-called current ‘stewards’ of the club directly.

You can read their response in full down below.

Furthermore, Burnham and Dennett went on to add: “Following discussions between the parties involved, there is clear agreement that Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Salford City Council and the Rugby Football League are resolute in their commitment to safeguard the club.

“We are committed to working together to secure the long-term future of the club, to implement a city-wide rugby strategy, and to honour the generations of players, supporters, and communities who have carried its spirit through more than 150 years of rugby league.”

What about you, Salford Red Devils fans – what did you make of both statements, and how hopeful are you that the storm will clear around the club?

The latest on Salford Red Devils’ financial situation as ‘winding-up’ petition is adjourned

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Featured Images — Hullian111 (via Wikimedia Commons)/Scottish Government (via Flickr)

News

Plans to expand Greater Manchester’s tram network progress after £6m funding boost

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant A Metrolink tram in Manchester city centre

Plans for new tram and train connections across Greater Manchester have taken a big step forward after a £6m funding boost.

Last month, Mayor Andy Burnham and local council leaders pledged for 90% of people in Greater Manchester to be within a five-minute walk of a bus or tram that comes at least every 30 minutes by 2030 – and now, plans to deliver this strategy are one step closer to becoming reality thanks to significant investment.

Transport leaders have now confirmed a pipeline of ‘rapid transit’ schemes for the future.

£6 million of funding was signed-off by the Bee Network Committee earlier last week, following plans being discussed by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).

The work is all part of a wider plan, known as the Greater Manchester Strategy, to link every borough in Greater Manchester up the Metrolink network – with a long-term plan for major expansion of the Bee Network.

This funding boost comes after it was confirmed in early June that trams would finally be making their way to Stockport after long-time rumours.

Plans to expand Greater Manchester’s tram network have progressed after a £6m funding boost / Credit: TfGM

Some of the major projects this £6m funding will pay for advancing planning towards include finalising strategies for extending the Metrolink to Stockport from East Didsbury this autumn, with construction to begin in 2030, and beginning strategy work on the completion of the Metrolink Airport Line ‘Western Leg’ – which would serve a number of ‘key growth areas’ at the Airport, Wythenshawe Hospital, and Davenport Green.

Another important project the funding will go towards is the preparation of the Strategic Outline Case for expanding Metrolink connections to Salford Crescent and Salford Quays, and out to the north west of the region – including potential options for links to Leigh, Wigan, and Bolton.

Work will also continue on plans for an Oldham-Rochdale-Heywood-Bury tram-train route too – with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) says its leaders are aiming for construction on the scheme to begin in 2028.

Mayor Andy Burnham says the funding with help connect all 10 boroughs to the Metrolink / Credit: TfGM

Even more importantly, early development work on plans for the recently-proposed new underground system can start thanks to the funding boost.

“Every part of our region needs to feel the benefits of Greater Manchester’s growth,” commented Mayor Andy Burnham.

“To make sure that happens, we’ve pledged to connect our people and communities to new opportunities better than ever before.

“We’re planning to connect all 10 boroughs to the ever-popular Metrolink network as part of a long-term, sustained expansion of the Bee Network.

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“This latest funding means we can develop the case for a pipeline of both tram and tram-train new lines and extensions – and ultimately underground infrastructure in the city centre – to make sure we get a public transport system befitting the global city region we are.”

Featured Image – Janus Boye

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