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Holidaymakers urged to ‘carefully’ plan Manchester Airport journeys after M56 closure incident

Officers were called to reports of a concern for welfare of a woman.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 31st July 2023

Holidaymakers travelling to Manchester Airport today are being advised to “carefully” plan their journeys and expect potential delays.

It comes after a section of the M56 was closed during the early hours of this morning.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained in a statement that at around 2:40am this morning (31 July), officers were called to reports of concern for the welfare of a woman on the M56 near the Junction 5 slip road – which is on the way to Manchester Airport‘s Terminal Two.

Once police arrived, a scene was put in place and that section of the motorway was closed while officers carried out their necessary response.

Long queues and standstill traffic was subsequently seen building up.

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When GMP first provided an update on the situation, it advised that anyone travelling to Manchester Airport this morning should look to “plan their journey carefully” and preferably “find an alternative route” which avoids that section of the motorway.

A statement issued by GMP just before 4am (3:55am) this morning reads: “At around 2:40am this morning (Monday 31 July 2023), officers were called to reports of concern for welfare of a woman on the M56, near the Junction 5 slip road to Manchester Airport Terminal Two.

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“There is a scene in place and this part of the motorway is currently closed whilst officers carry out their response.”

Although now, it has been confirmed that the M56 exit has reopened.

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As the build-up of traffic continues to clear through the morning, motorists are still being told to prepare for potential delays.

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Allowing additional time for journeys to avoid disappointment is advised.

Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons

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Wolf Alice at AO Arena, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist and more for UK tour

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

London-formed rock band Wolf Alice are now on the road for their UK tour, and they’re visiting AO Arena in Manchester to put a ‘Smile’ on our faces.

We’re trying our best to be ‘Formidable Cool’, but when Wolf Alice come to town, we think everyone is allowed to lose it a little bit.

Known for bangers like ‘Don’t Delete the Kisses’, ‘Silk’ and ‘Lipstick On The Glass’, just to name a few, this band have built a cult following thanks to their always-impressive discography.

15 years since forming and just over 10 years since their debut album My Love Is Cool hit airwaves, with their lead singles ‘Fluffy’ and ‘Bros’, just three months later, they’ve been on a roll since. Now, Wolf Alice are playing their biggest Manc gigs to date at none other than our iconic 21,000-seater venue, AO Arena.

Gig guide | Wolf Alice at AO Arena Manchester

Wolf Alice's upcoming gig is taking place at AO Arena in Manchester on Friday 28 November / Credit: Press Shots (via Supplied)
Wolf Alice’s upcoming gig is taking place at AO Arena in Manchester on Friday 28 November / Credit: Press Shots (via Supplied)

Wolf Alice UK tour dates

  • Fri 28 November – Manchester, UK – AO Arena
  • Sat 29 November – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena
  • Mon 1 December – Cardiff, UK – Utilita Arena
  • Tue 2 December – London, UK – The O2
  • Wed 3 December – London, UK – The O2
  • Fri 5 December – Leeds, UK – First Direct Arena
  • Sun 7 December – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
  • Mon 8 December – Nottingham, UK – Motorpoint Arena

Wolf Alice tickets for AO Arena gig

This band might be bigger than any ‘Giant Peach’ you could possibly think, but you might just be able to get your hand on a ticket or two for the last Wolf Alice gig in Manchester on their final night this Friday, 28 November.

Stop ‘Leaning Against the Wall’ and get onto your favourite ticket site as there are still a handful of tickets for Wolf Alice’s upcoming Manchester show available right HERE.

Wolf Alice setlist

  • Thorns
  • Bloom Baby Bloom
  • White Horses
  • Formidable Cool
  • Just Two Girls
  • Leaning Against the Wall
  • How Can I Make It Ok?
  • The Sofa
  • Bros
  • Safe From Heartbreak (If You Never Fall in Love)
  • Safe in the World
  • Bread Butter Tea Sugar
  • Yuk Foo
  • Play the Greatest Hits
  • Silk
  • Play It Out
  • Giant Peach
  • Smile
  • Don’t Delete the Kisses

What are the stage times for Wolf Alice in Manchester?

AO Arena has a curfew of 11pm, meaning you can get home in time for some ‘Bread Butter Tea Sugar’ before the early hours.

There’s not one but two incredible acts set to support Wolf Alice, and it’s none other than former-FRIGS lead singer, Bria Salmena, as well as American rock trio, Sunflower Bean.

Doors for this event are opening from 6pm, and Wolf Alice are expected to take the stage from around 7:30pm onwards before combining into a supergroup in time for closing time.

Getting to AO Arena

Tram

For those of you heading to AO Arena, luckily, it’s connected to Manchester Victoria Station, and it has an integrated Metrolink stop to make your life even easier.

Head along the pink, light blue or yellow lines directly to the Victoria stop, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.

Train

Considering this live entertainment venue is situated right in the middle of one of Manchester’s most frequented stations, concertgoers should find no problem getting to the arena, wherever they are.

Bus

A variety of buses cover AO Arena and Victoria Station on their route, such as the 2 bus, which stops just a one-minute walk away from the venue.

A full list of buses and their routes can be found HERE.

Getting there by car and parking

The Arena has its own official CitiPark, with 958 car parking spaces, including 40 Blue Badge parking bays, which can be booked in advance.

Alternatively, anyone attending a gig can park at their nearest train station and jump on a train service or the various Metrolink park and ride facilities.

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Walk/cycle

Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes through the Beryl app, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app.

@the.manc When are you next heading to the @AO Arena? 😱 #themanc #manchester #aoarena #preshow #entertainment #gigs #music #liveshow ♬ Love You So – The King Khan & BBQ Show

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Featured Images — Press Shots (via Rachel Fleminger Hudson/Supplied)

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Greater Manchester officially launches five-year climate change action plan

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester climate change 5-year action plan

Greater Manchester has officially begun its five-year climate change action plan, with the overarching goal of becoming a net-zero city region by 2038.

The comprehensive pledge put together over a number of years itself will see Manchester City Council and the nearby local authorities put into action a number of key measures that will help to reduce not only central carbon figures but, eventually, across the 10 boroughs in turn.

Over the last 15 years, emissions have been reduced by approximately 64%, saving an estimated 44,344 tonnes of carbon through cleaner building energy, street lighting and other electronics, as well as the increasingly green and over-growing Bee Network.

They have also insisted that it isn’t just about cutting down on greenhouse gases; the aim is to make the city region and the surrounding areas more sustainable, affordable and create a better standard of life.

As per the summary on the Council website, in addition to creating more efficient homes, they’re hoping to provide more access to nature and good-quality green space, “public transport you can rely on”, and “better health and wellbeing for those who live, work, study and visit here.”

With a steadily recovering local and national economy (touch wood), they’re also hoping for an influx of new jobs, too.

Summarising the key bullet points leading up to the end of the decade, these are the next steps currently outlined by the Council:

  • Lower carbon emissions
  • Grow the use of renewable energy
  • Improve low-carbon travel in the city
  • Improve air quality 
  • Grow the city’s natural environment and boost biodiversity
  • Improve resilience to flooding and extreme heat
  • Engage and involve our workforce and our city’s communities
  • Reduce waste and grow reuse, repair, sharing and recycling
  • Support a move to a more circular economy
  • Minimise the negative impact of events held in the city
  • Develop our knowledge of our indirect emissions and lower them
  • Create a green financing strategy and explore new funding models for the city
  • Influence the environmental practices of other organisations

As for emissions, the target is now to drop the present output by another 34%, which will prevent almost 43,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from being pumped into the atmosphere.

You can see the foundations for the climate change action plan being laid out by Greater Manchester. Combined Authority back in 2019.

Provided the city region keeps on track, these steps should help Greater Manchester become largely zero-carbon by 2038.

For those curious as to the breakdown of the numbers, you can read more about the science-based carbon reduction targets online.

Having touched upon the continued expansion of the Bee Network infrastructure, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is also set to install multiple new travel links over the coming years, including both new tram stops and train stations – further

You can read the climate action plan in full HERE.

Exciting new CGIs released of Greater Manchester town’s first train station in 60 years
Mayor Andy Burnham is hoping to bring railways under local control as soon as possible.

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Featured Images — TfGM/Wikimedia Commons

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