Greater Manchester Police has issued a statement regarding the large-scale protests which took place in the city centre on Saturday.
The statement specifically addressed the decision not to dismiss the demonstrating crowds.
Hundreds of people gathered in St Peter’s Square to demonstrate on a number of causes – including opposition to the government’s proposed new crime legislation – with several others gathering to show their opposition to violence against women, and Black Lives Matter protesters and an anti-lockdown group were also seen within the crowds, which also congregated in Piccadilly Gardens.
The Manchester city centre demonstrations were believed to form part of a nationwide movement, with several other protests citing similar motives also seen to have taken place in other major cities across the UK – most prominently London and Bristol.
Under the current restrictions for England’s third national lockdown, mass demonstrations are not prohibited – a change to previous restrictions, which allowed them to place – and the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, which has been widely reported on over the last week, would give police in England and Wales more power to impose conditions on non-violent protests, including those deemed too noisy or a nuisance.
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Those convicted under the proposed legislation could face a fine or jail time.
More than a thousand people are now taking part in the Manchester protest against the COVID-19 laws. They claim the risk of the virus has been exaggerated – and are calling for their “freedom” back. The council say it’s an insult to those families who’ve lost loved ones. pic.twitter.com/JphHowWD2A
Over the course of the demonstrations in Manchester city centre this past weekend, police officers – including tactical aid units – were seen surrounding the crowds, but did not intervene.
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Now, Nick Bailey – Assistant Chief Constable at the Greater Manchester Police – has issued a statement about the forces’ decision to adopt a “low key approach”, with officers engaging with people to encourage them to socially distance and disperse.
ACC Bailey said that GMP has gathered evidence in relation to all protests, and will be concentrating investigations against those who have organised these events.
He said: “We were aware of several protests which took place yesterday across the city centre and our position in regard to all protests during this lockdown remains that they do not meet what is an acceptable reason to gather during the lockdown.
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“Public safety is a top priority for GMP, and in the lead up to these protests, police actively engaged with the organisers to explain government guidance and discuss alternate options in order to dissuade a public gathering from taking place. However, when large groups choose to ignore that, we will always look to see whether it is safe to take action which would physically prevent the protest and disperse the crowd.
“A careful assessment was made about the policing approach and it was decided that a low key approach, which was sensitively policed, would be the most appropriate form of action.
“Proportionate action was taken on the day, and officers engaged with those present to encourage social distancing and dispersal of attendees”.
Relatively small protest in Manchester and verrrry hands-off policing. Cops are parked round the corner, not really anywhere near. pic.twitter.com/PJNG4kb2f8
He continued: “GMP will continue to make assessments of all gatherings that are felt to be unlawful and make a decision as to how best to protect the wider public from the spread of infection, our staff policing the event and those engaged in the protest. Whilst no enforcement action was taken yesterday, GMP has gathered evidence in relation to all the protests and will be concentrating our investigations against those who have organised these events and will where appropriate take enforcement action.
“I would like to take this opportunity to remind the public that we are still in the midst of a pandemic and it is vitally important that we all continue to play our part in helping to keep our community safe and protected.
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“With the vaccination scheme in place, there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel, but we must do everything we can to reduce the number of virus transmissions. Therefore, I would continue to appeal to the public to follow government advice and adhere to the legislation, which has been put in place to save lives.
“Help us to help you stay safe.”
Today Manchester said #killthebill – our right to protest will not be silenced. What we are seeing is dangerous but not unexpected – the police and Tories feel threatened! now more than ever get out and protest the #PoliceCrackdownBillpic.twitter.com/BVRyEZT7iT
ACC Bailey’s statement comes just a fortnight after mental health worker, Karen Reissmann, was handed a £10,000 fine for organising a “socially distanced and fully risk assessed” demonstration – which came to an end after 10 minutes – in the same spot to protest the government’s proposed 1% pay rise for NHS staff.
Ms Reissmann was fined and another woman, 65, was arrested for failing to provide details having refused the opportunity to leave when asked.
Full list of road closures set to be in place for Manchester Day 2024
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Day is back for 2024 this weekend, and the full list of road closures set to be in place has been confirmed.
Now that schools are officially out across Greater Manchester, and the summer holidays are well and truly here, the hugely-popular Manchester Day is making a return once again this Saturday 27 July, and as always, it’s set to be “the day summer officially starts” in the city centre – with a massive celebration of “all things Mancunian” on the cards.
The theme of this year’s annual event is ‘Let The Games Begin’, and it’s inspired by the international summer of sport, just 2024 Olympics kicks off over in Paris.
The day will be packed full of free events and activities to get involved with.
Some city centre roads will be closed on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 July for Manchester Day.
These will include:
🛣️Deansgate 🛣️St Ann Street 🛣️St Mary’s Gate 🛣️Market Street 🛣️King Street
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) July 21, 2024
But of course, in order for the all the fun to go ahead as safely as possible, and as tends to be the case for events like these, Manchester City Council says it will need to make some temporary road closures to facilitate it.
The full list of road closures has now been confirmed by the Council, and there’s some major city centre thoroughfares set to be out of action.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Manchester Day is back for 2024 to celebrate the international summer of sport / Credit: Manchester City Council
Manchester Day 2024 – Road Closures
Saturday 27 July
From 6am to 11:59pm, Manchester City Council has confirmed that the following roads will be closed:
Deansgate (Manchester Cathedral to John Dalton Street) – access will be maintained to Marks and Spencer’s car park and Number One Deansgate.
St Ann Street (Deansgate to Cross Street)
St Mary’s Gate (Exchange Street to Deansgate)
St Mary’s Street (Southbridge Street to Deansgate)
Market Street (Exchange Street to Cross Street)
Fennel Street (Corporation Street to Cathedral Street) – access will be maintained for morning deliveries only.
Cathedral Street (Fennel Street to Exchange Square) – access will be maintained for morning deliveries only.
Cateaton Street (Exchange Square to Deansgate)
Barton Square (St Ann’s Square to St Ann Street)
King Street (Cross Street to Deansgate) – no access for deliveries.
All accessible bays, bus lanes, and taxi ranks within the closed areas will also be suspended during from 6pm on Friday 26 July to 11:59pm on Saturday 27 July.
The parking suspensions set to be in place are:
Deansgate (Manchester Cathedral to John Dalton Street)
St Ann Street – including the bays outside St Ann’s Church (Deansgate to Cross Street)
St Mary’s Gate (Exchange Street to Deansgate)
St Mary’s Street (Southbridge Street to Deansgate)
Southgate (St Mary’s Street to King Street West)
Market Street (Exchange Street to Cross Street)
Fennel Street (Corporation Street to Cathedral Street) – access will be maintained for morning deliveries only.
Cathedral Street (Fennel Street to Exchange Square) – access will be maintained for morning deliveries only.
Cateaton Street (Exchange Square to Deansgate)
Victoria Street (Cathedral Approach to Deansgate)
Todd Street (Corporation Street to Station Approach)
King Street (Spring Gardens to Southgate)
South King Street (Ridgefield to Deansgate)
Barton Square (St Ann’s Square to St Ann Street)
King Street West (Deansgate to St Mary’s Parsonage)
St James’s Square (John Dalton Street to South King Street)
Cross Street (King Street to Corporation Street)
Museum Street (Peter Street to Windmill Street)
Marsden Street (Cheapside to Brown Street)
Manchester Day 2024: Let The Games Begin! will take over the city centre on Saturday 27 July from 12pm-6pm.
Check out everything you need to know ahead of the event here.
‘Complex’ Metrolink repairs to the Rochdale via Oldham line could take weeks to complete
Emily Sergeant
Work currently underway on the Rochdale via Oldham line is expected to take several weeks to complete.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has confirmed that land movement affecting the Metrolink network near Derker has now “slowed”, and this means that detailed ground investigations and temporary repair works have been able to get underway.
In order for trams to run again on the crucial line from the city centre to the two major Greater Manchester towns, TfGM says that a small section of track has to be moved back – also known as ‘slewed’ – into its original position.
The overhead line poles also need to be repaired too, the transport operator revealed.
Rochdale line update
Land movement affecting the Metrolink network near Derker has slowed, enabling detailed ground investigations and temporary repair works to get underway.
To get trams running again, a small section of track has to be moved back into its original position… pic.twitter.com/byERjitdi1
Unfortunately though, due to the “complex” nature of these works, and despite the fact that TfGM says it’s actively looking to “accelerate” the repairs, the project is expected to take up to five weeks to complete in full.
On top of this, the detailed ground investigations will also establish whether any further work to strengthen foundations beneath the track will be needed at a later date.
TfGM has apologised for the inconvenience caused to passengers.
‘Complex’ Metrolink repairs to the Rochdale via Oldham line could take weeks to complete / Credit: TfGM
Speaking on the scale of works currently underway, and how long he expects them to continue for, Pete Sommers, who is TfGM’s Network Director for Metrolink, said: “I’m sorry for the impact this is having, and will continue to have, on people’s journeys.
“We are working to get trams running through the area again, but this remains a complex and challenging issue and it could still be a few weeks before this happens.
“We will of course keep passengers updated, and I’d encourage people to check our social media channels and website for the latest information and advice.”