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Late night trams are FINALLY making a return to Manchester

It's been a long time coming.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 20th September 2023

Metrolink has finally announced that its tram services will begin to run beyond midnight again this month.

The tram network had first introduced late-running trams back in 2019, when you could use them to get home around Greater Manchester until almost 2am.

Then Covid happened and services were stripped back, with the tram timetable never returning to its pre-pandemic system.

But not Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has confirmed that 1am finishes on tram lines at weekends will return soon.

The later services will only run on Friday and Saturday nights, from 29 September, with actual departure times varying by Metrolink station.

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Danny Vaughan, head of Metrolink at Transport for Greater Manchester, said: “We are partially reintroducing the 1am finish on Friday and Saturday nights.

“It is only on a 20-minute frequency for now. We will look to make an improvement on that later in the year.”

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Back in 2019, the later services were introduced as part of a ‘festive enhancement’ championed by both Mayor Andy Burnham and night time economy adviser Sacha Lord, and benefitted not only members of the public but also an estimated 414,000 night-time workers across the city centre.

So passionate were people about bringing it back, that Salford Lib Dems even launched a petition calling for their return.

The news of late-night trams for Manchester came along with the fact that the MediaCityUK to Etihad Campus peak service is also returning later this month.

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That line has been disrupted all summer due to engineering works between Eccles and Weaste.

Trams will run every 12 minutes between 7am and 8pm Monday to Friday, and from 9am until 6.30pm on Saturdays.

Featured image: Unsplash, Jakob Cotton

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English rugby legend Lewis Moody reveals MND diagnosis

Danny Jones Danny Jones Lewis Moody diagnosed with MND

Much-loved English rugby legend Lewis Moody has revealed his heartbreaking MND (motor neuron disease) diagnosis.

The Leicester Tigers and Bath icon, who was captain of the Rugby World Cup-winning England squad back in 2003, unfortunately announced to the world that he is now suffering from MND, also known as ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis).

Moody, 47, is just the latest well-known rugby player to have developed the progressive neurological disorder, with both former players and others being forced to retire due to the condition.

The Ascot-born rugby union veteran has admitted that the news has come as a ‘sudden shock’ to him and his family, but has been left moved by the overwhelming wave of positivity he has received since making the health update public.

Sharing a lengthy message online, Moody wrote: “I’m writing to share some tough news. I have recently been diagnosed with ALS, also known as Motor Neurone Disease (MND). This has been incredibly hard to process and a huge shock to me and my family.

“I feel fit and well in myself, and I’m focused on staying positive, living life and dealing with the changes / will experience as they come.

“I am being well supported by my family, friends and medical professionals, and I’m truly grateful to those who, in their time, helped progress research to support others, like me, living with this disease.”

Notable ex-pros who have sadly passed away from the disease in recent years include Doddie Weir and, of course, Rob Burrow MBE.

There is currently no known cure for MND at present, but as Burrow’s best mate and inspirational teammate, Kevin Sinfield has famously, the belief is that this is because it remains “underfunded” and a breakthrough could still be found.

Speaking to BBC Sport with his long-term partner on Monday, 6 October, ‘Mad Dog Moody’ gave a very open and honest interview about the last few weeks, going from noticing some weakness in his shoulder at the gym to having now been given the tragic diagnosis.

Lewis’ statement continues: “Since retiring from the sport I love, and alongside my wife Annie, I’ve been able to dedicate much of the past 12 years to fundraising for The Lewis Moody Foundation in support of those affected by brain tumours.

“My plan is to continue with this, but to also create an opportunity to support a charity closer to my current situation. I would be so grateful for your help with this and look forward to sharing more, once l am clear on what this looks like.

“For now, please know I feel your love and support; all l ask is that I am given some space to navigate this with my wife and sons, and those closest to us – but without doubt, I will continue to embrace life and grasp opportunities in the same way I always have.

Take Care, Lewis Moody.”

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Sharing a post of their own on social media this morning, the Red Roses wrote: “Everyone at England Rugby is saddened to learn that former captain Lewis Moody has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

“All of our thoughts are with Lewis, his family and friends as they come to terms with this diagnosis. We will be offering both practical and emotional support, and know the entire rugby community will stand with them at this incredibly difficult time.

“We encourage people to show their support through the fundraising initiatives now being set up and available through GoFundMe.”

Sending our strength and support to Lewis Moody, as well as his family, friends and fans; you can donate to his fundraiser down below.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Lewis Moody (via Instagram)/Land Rover MENA (via Flickr)

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Police granted extra time to question four people arrested over Manchester synagogue terror attack

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant GMP synagogue attack

Extra time has been given to police to continue questioning the four people arrested over the terror attack at a synagogue in Crumpsall.

The shocking knife and car attack, which took place last Thursday 2 October on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar at the the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, saw two men sadly lose their lives – Adrian Daulby, 53, who is believed to have been shot dead by police while trying to stop the attacker from entering the synagogue, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, a worshipper who also helped stop the attacker.

The attacker has been named as 35-year-old Jihad al Shamie – a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent who lived in Prestwich – who at the time was on bail for an alleged rape, before being shot by police.

Three other men also still remain in hospital at this time.

The ongoing investigation is being led by Counter Terrorism Policing North West (CTPNW), supported by resources from across the national Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) network and Greater Manchester Police (GMP).

Police say ‘significant resources’ from across CTP have been ‘mobilised’ in order to establish the full picture into what happened.

This past Friday, the head of counter-terrorism policing, Laurence Taylor, gave an update on the investigation declaring that a ‘suspicious device’ attached to al Shamie’s torso was fake, and that police believed he ‘may have been influenced by extreme Islamist ideology’.

With the investigation said to be ‘continuing at pace’, GMP has now been given extra time to question four individuals currently in police custody.

The warrants relate to – which relate to two men, aged 30 and 32, and two women, aged 46 and 61 – have ben extended after their arrests on suspicion of commission, preparation, and instigation of acts of terrorism.

This means they can remain in custody for up to a further five days from the point that warrant was granted (Saturday 4 October).

“We understand there is significant public interest in this case, and appreciate many who may have known or had previous contact with Jihad Al-Shamie will be coming to terms with the fact this horrifying attack has been perpetrated by somebody they recognise,” GMP said in a statement.

Appealing to the public, the police continued: “We would also ask people to refrain from speculation or sharing unverified information as that could potentially cause unnecessary delays in our enquiries and additional upset for all those impacted by these horrific events.

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If you have information, then please contact police via the Major Incident Public Portal which is available online here.

Featured Image – GMP

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