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Greater Manchester Mayor says region has ‘very strong case’ to exit Tier 3 within a fortnight

The Mayor said Greater Manchester leaders will make "the strongest possible argument" to move the region down to Tier 2.

The Manc The Manc - 27th November 2020

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham says the region will have a “very strong case” to exit Tier 3 within two weeks – calling on all local MPs to vote against the measures in the Commons.

The government confirmed that the ten boroughs of Greater Manchester are destined for Tier 3 measures when lockdown ends on December 2 – meaning all local hospitality (except for takeaway) and indoor entertainment will remain closed.

The decision has been met with chagrin; as data shows weekly case rates and hospital admissions falling across Greater Manchester.

The Mayor said he is hoping the government will review their decision before Christmas – with local leaders set to make “the strongest possible argument” to move down to Tier 2.

Burnham stated: “People will have to draw their own conclusions on the rights/wrongs.

“What I can say is we’ll likely have a very strong case for Tier 2 in two weeks.”

The government – hoping to avoid another high-profile tug of war with Burnham over tier terms like in October – has already said that tiers will be non-negotiable.

But the Mayor has called on local MPs to “join us in a strong cross-party appeal”.

There is already evidence that some Conservative MPs may protest the measures.

Sir Graham Brady, MP for Altrincham & Sale West, has already said he will vote against the government next week when the proposed tier system goes to the Commons, claiming he had “severe reservations on so many different levels.”

MP for Hazel Grove, William Wragg, also hinted he would vote against his constituency entering Tier 3.

“Stockport’s Covid rates continue to fall sharply and will no doubt be lower still next week,” he said.

“We should be considered for tiering on a Local Authority basis. As we have not been, I cannot support these proposals.”

Mary Robinson, MP for Cheadle, also said she would “continue to argue” for a borough by borough approach that would separate lower risk regions from others.

“Stockport borough continues to have a notably lower infection rate than the rest of Greater Manchester, with a pattern of decline,” she stated.

“I have argued in the past for a borough by borough approach when it comes to tier allocations, supported by the data.”

The new tier system is set to go to a vote on Tuesday.

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The Manchester public are being invited to consult on ‘landmark’ development plans for Red Bank

Danny Jones Danny Jones Red Bank CGI plans redevelopment

Members of the Greater Manchester public are being invited to take part in the official consultation period ahead of the proposed plans for a big new development in Red Bank.

The central district, located right near Cheetham Hill and now considered a key part of the Northern Gateway regeneration area, is on the verge of a significant transformation in the shape of two huge new ‘landmark’ towers.

Set to clock in at 18 and 43 storeys, respectively, they are just the latest addition to Manchester’s ever-growing skyline.

With more skyscrapers steadily popping up all over the city centre and neighbouring parts of Salford (at an increasingly quick rate, we’d hasten to add), local residents are rightly being encouraged to come and share their thoughts and feedback on the impending project.

new developments manchester city centre red bank
red bank towers mcr
CGIs of the two new towers from near and afar. (Credit: Supplied)

Pencilled in by LWP Redbank Limited, the public consultation is not just specifically related to 50–54 Red Bank, but the surrounding area too.

With two separate planning permission applications submitted to Manchester City Council – one regarding the apartment blocks themselves and another to the ‘public realm’, which includes the immediate vicinity and, most notably, potential “future access to the historic viaduct.”

The headline of the major update to the Red Bank neighbourhood is, of course, the two apartment buildings, which would create a total of 509 new homes and employment opportunities.

Made up of a mix of one, two and three-bedroom flats said to be suitable for both single occupants and families, the developers are also slated to create several shared amenities, landscaped outdoor areas, and sweeping city views.

Equally important is how it will integrate into the existing area at ground level, with new commercial units set to complement the thriving businesses under the recognisable Red Bank arches; more than 2,000 square metres of open space will link the towers to the viaduct.

Sustainability is said to be at the heart of the proposals too, with the scheme expected to be largely car-free, as well as improving travel links to public transport networks, cycle parking, energy-efficient features, “including air source heat pumps and other low-carbon technologies.”

At present, those for the construction argue that limited use is being made of the space.

Locals hoping for a positive dialogue during the consultation period will be pleased to hear that “native planting, trees, and rain gardens will create green and welcoming spaces, with active frontages and open sightlines improving safety and vibrancy” have all been promised.

Issuing a statement on behalf of the project team, a spokesperson said in a recent press release: “Red Bank is fast becoming a creative and vibrant part of Manchester, and our vision is to build on this character to create a distinctive new neighbourhood.

“These proposals bring forward much-needed homes, alongside new public space, and active ground-floor uses that will add to the life of the area. We look forward to hearing what local people think during our consultation, which is being held until Friday, 3 October.”

A consultation drop-in event will take place at GRUB MCR, 50 Red Bank, Cheetham Hill (M4 4HF) from 3-7pm on Wednesday, 17 September. Further feedback is also welcome either HERE, over the email at [email protected], or by freephone: 0800 689 1095 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5:30pm).

If all goes ahead as planned, you can expect work to start on this particular part of the ‘Victoria North Masterplan’ early next year, if not even sooner.

New £350m sustainable neighbourhood in Stockport given the green light
More big buildings are going up all across Greater Manchester.

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Featured Images — Press shots (supplied)

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Heartbreaking tributes paid to local couple who died following Lisbon funicular crash

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

The families of a local couple who died in a fatal funicular crash in Lisbon have now paid heartbreaking tributes to them.

The British citizens, who have been named as 44-year-old William Nelson and 36-year-old Kayleigh Smith, lost their lives when a car of the iconic Ascensor da Glória – which was a funicular connecting Bairro Alto and Restauradores Square – derailed and crashed on last week on 3 September, resulting in a devastating 16 deaths and 23 injuries.

According to authorities, the car at the top of the hill was derailed, and sped ‘uncontrollably’ downhill before crashing into a building near the bottom.

An investigation into the incident was subsequently launched by the Office for the Prevention and Investigation of Accidents in Civil Aviation and Rail (GPIAAF) and Carris, which is Lisbon’s public transport operator.

An initial report by the GPIAAF stated that the cable connecting the two cabins of the Glória elevator broke at its attachment point to the top car, resulting in the crash.

It also stated that the brakeman, who was killed in the crash, had tried to apply the emergency brakes but without success.

Paying tribute to Kayleigh, a family friend said: “Kayleigh was loved by family and friends for her wit and humour, her kind and caring nature came to the fore in her work as a funeral operative. She was also a talented theatre director and had just completed a Master’s Degree.

“They both leave family and friends heartbroken.”

Heartbreaking tributes have been paid to a local couple who died following Lisbon funicular crash / Credit: Terry Kearney (via Flickr)

Will’s younger brother added in tribute: “Words cannot begin to describe how our family and friends are feeling right now but here is the best attempt.

“This week, due to a tragic accident in Lisbon, Portugal, we lost Will Nelson, who was not just my big brother but everyone’s. He was always kind, selfless, and protective and the world does not feel right or normal without him.

“He was and has always been my hero, and we will miss you always. Love you, rest in peace, you legend.”

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Their families continue to ask that their privacy be respected during this tragic time.

Featured Image – Cheshire Police

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