Motorists in Manchester are being urged to plan ahead for ‘essential works’ arriving at the start of the new year.
As part of what is Manchester City Council‘s ongoing scheme of essential bridge maintenance that’s currently happening across the city region, it’s now been confirmed that a nine-week programme of works will take place as soon as 2024 arrives.
This means that a series of lane closures are planned for Mancunian Way, and a number of other bridges in the borough, for more than two months starting from the evening of Sunday 7 January 2024.
Works are scheduled to take place on Mancunian Way, Freeman Street, and Bonsall Bridge.
According to the Council, while the Mancunian Way will only be affected by lane closures, rather than a complete closure of the road, both the Bonsall Street Bridge – which is only accessible for buses, cyclists, and pedestrians – and the Freeman Street Footbridge, will be subject to full closures.
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This is based on “the scope of works required for them”, Councillors say.
Manchester motorists urged to plan ahead for ‘essential maintenance’ works at the start of 2024 / Credit: Manchester City Council
Specialised investigations for each bridge structures are set to take place, which involves works such as running surfaces, waterproof membranes, tension cables, and anchoring points.
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On Mancunian Way, lane closures are expected for up to four weeks from Sunday 7 January, while on the Freeman Street Bridge (Princess Street), there’s set to be a full closure for up to two weeks from 5 February, and then over on Bonsall Bonsall Bridge (Princess Street), there’ll be a full closure for up to three weeks from 19 February.
The Council is warning motorists that there’ll be “heavier levels of traffic” across the city centre while these works are carried out.
“We understand that this period of work may be disruptive,” explained Councillor Tracey Rawlins, who is the Executive Member for Environment and Transport at Manchester City Council.
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“However, these inspection works are vital and we will endeavour to complete them as quickly as possible, [as] safety is and will remain our top priority, and we must ensure that our roads and bridges remain safe to use and drive on.
“During this time, there will of course be heavier levels of traffic, especially during peak periods, so I would ask people to please plan ahead.”
Manchester City Council has confirmed that signage will be installed in all affected locations to “advise motorists and pedestrians of the closures in advance of works commencing”, and also, where applicable, what diversions will be in place.
The Premier League is keeping its crucial cap on away game ticket prices – for now
Danny Jones
The Premier League has announced it is extending its crucial price cap for away games, as the general cost of match tickets continues to creep up all over the country.
Most season card holders, be they here in Greater Manchester or elsewhere, are likely looking at their annual spending going up simply, so steps like these are key in keeping first division football as affordable as possible.
And that’s just the ongoing cost of living, let alone the clubs that are continuing the trend of charging more each year and, unfortunately, even pricing some supporters out entirely.
With that in mind, the news of England’s top-flight sides voting unanimously to keep the £30 cap intact for at least another two years comes as relief to those who spend most of the year putting their hard-earned cash towards following their team home and away.
BREAKING: The Premier League extend £30 cap on away tickets for another two seasons 🚨 pic.twitter.com/L336aZwmn3
Now confirmed to remain in place until the end of the 2027/28 campaign, travelling fans obviously still spend plenty of money on transport and so on every year, but at least they don’t have to worry about rising general admissions.
At least not for the time being…
Writing in a statement, the Premier League said: “Away fans help create the incredible atmosphere Premier League matches are renowned for. Since the cap’s implementation in 2016, it has contributed to attendance at away games increasing from 82% to 91%.”
They also acknowledged the significant and regular funds that supporters still spend on these trips, with plenty of people online also praising the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA), which helped spearhead the campaign over a decade ago.
With so many other obstacles still getting in the way of fans making it to games either at their usual stadium or on an away day – not least of all the constant and increasingly frustrating rescheduling of fixtures – it’s good to see this isn’t an area the Prem are trying to target.
As always, the multi-billion-pound business can always seek out other, newer money spinners, and we’re absolutley certain they will. For instance, there’s at least one happening over in Spain that we’d happily see carried over here.
Following the news, this now means that fans will ultimately have enjoyed 12 back-to-back seasons of the benefit, and long may it continue.
Nevertheless, the biggest barrier for people to watch the beautiful game at its highest level in the UK remains the cost of standard tickets.
The likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Leeds and more have already let matchgoers know that their season ticket prices will be going up, and the likes of Man City have already seen backlash for increasing rates amid the expansion of the Etihad Campus.
Greater Manchester’s fire service officially rated ‘outstanding’ following inspection
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester’s fire service has officially been rated ‘outstanding’.
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has awarded published its latest inspection report, and has awarded Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) two ‘Outstanding’ ratings for the first time in the service’s history.
One ‘outstanding’ rating was given for the preventing of fire and emergencies, and one for values and culture.
Some of the areas of strength noted in the report include outstanding prevention work, acknowledging the service’s innovative partnership activity and targeted risk reduction programmes, and a ‘strong, positive, and inclusive’ culture, with strong communication and a clear focus on values, staff voice, and transparent decision making.
The service was also commended for having high levels of operational preparedness, and ‘effective’ governance and scrutiny, with ‘clear’ performance reporting and strategic direction.
In addition to the two ‘Outstanding’ ratings, inspectors also rated GMFRS as ‘Good’ in seven of the eight other inspection categories – including responding to fires and other emergencies, training and developing the right people with the right skills, and ensuring fairness and diversity across the workplace.
Inspectors also acknowledged the ‘significant capacity pressures’ on fire safety regulation across the UK, and the unique challenges posed by Greater Manchester’s complex and fast-changing urban environment.
“Greater Manchester has a fire and rescue service we can be proud of,” commented Mayor Andy Burnham, as the inspection report was published this week.
Greater Manchester’s fire service has officially been rated ‘outstanding’ following its latest inspection / Credit: GMFRS
“I’ve often said that GMFRS is one of the best services not just in this country, but anywhere. The inspectors’ findings reinforce this belief. I’m pleased that this strong inspection report recognises its outstanding prevention work as part of Greater Manchester’s Live Well approach, its outstanding culture and values, and consistently good performance across almost every other area.”
Chief Fire Officer, Dave Russell, added: “I am really pleased that the inspectors have recognised our progress towards this goal, by awarding us ‘Outstanding’ ratings for the first time in our service’s history.
“I am particularly pleased to have been awarded these for our nation-leading work on prevention, helping us to use our resources in the most effective way, and in our service’s culture, which I made my number one priority when joining the service.”
Emily Sergeant -
18th December 2023 
