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Mancunian Way no longer closed this weekend as ‘annual maintenance’ is postponed

"It is sensible to reschedule our maintenance works to limit the impact on road users."

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 10th March 2022

Manchester City Council has confirmed that the Mancunian Way will no longer be closed for its “annual maintenance” this weekend.

It was revealed earlier this week that the major road in and out of the city centre would be fully closed in both directions so that maintenance works could be carried out this Saturday and Sunday – a weekend full of events scheduled to take place.

This weekend alone, Manchester United will face Tottenham Hotspur in a Premier League clash at home at Old Trafford with a 5:30pm kick-off, boyband The Wanted will take to the stage at the AO Arena as part of their reunion tour, and the Manchester ‘Irish Parade’ will make its through Cheetham Hill to the city centre to mark St Patrick’s Day.

But now, the Council has announced that the road’s annual closure will be rescheduled to the weekend of Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 March, from 5am on Saturday morning through to 7pm on Sunday evening.

Read more: Mancunian Way is closed this weekend and motorists are urged to ‘plan ahead’

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The closure will allow essential work to take place to keep the bridge safe and will be in place from Chester Road roundabout through to Pin Mill Brow, the Council says.

A map showing the section of road due to be closed and the surrounding areas set to be affected / Credit: Google Maps (via TfGM)

The work will include safety inspections, road repairs, lighting inspections, street sweeping, drainage clearance, and general work to improve any defects, while the overall integrity of the structure will also be assessed.  

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TfGM has already set out a number of transport alternatives for those travelling in and out of the city centre on the scheduled maintenance weekend, but has now also revealed that signed diversions will be in place for the duration of the closure.

However, TfGM says it’s still important to “plan ahead” and familiarise yourself with the recommended diversion routes before travelling.

Explaining the reasoning behind the decision to postpone the scheduled maintenance to the following weekend, Cllr Tracey Rawlins – Manchester City Council’s executive member for environment – said: “Apologies if the change in dates to close the Mancunian Way for its annual maintenance weekend has impacted anyone’s weekend plans.”

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The Mancunian Way will now be closed on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 March / Credit: Pixabay

She continued: “Tens of thousands of cars use the bridge each day, so these works are vital to ensure the safety of the road – but we try to choose an appropriate weekend to undertake the maintenance work to limit congestion caused by the closure.

“The weekend coming was originally chosen as it presented the least amount of disruption on our roads, but it is right that we can be flexible to changing circumstances.

“Given the postponement of the Man City game against Brighton next weekend, it is sensible to reschedule our maintenance works to limit the impact on road users.”

You can find more information about the Mancunian Way closure next weekend here.

Featured Image – Peter McDermott (via Geograph)

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Women can now get the ‘morning after pill’ free on the NHS at high street pharmacies

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Women can now get the ‘morning after pill’ free of charge on the NHS in high street pharmacies across England.

As part of a major expansion of pharmacy services announced by the NHS in what is said to be the biggest change to sexual health services since the 1960s, the oral emergency contraception pill is now available for free to women from almost 10,000 pharmacies across the country without needing to see their GP or get an appointment at a sexual health clinic.

The initiative is part of a wider package of support for community pharmacies, helping people to get the care they need in ‘convenient’ and ‘familiar’ settings.

Dr Sue Mann, who is an NHS National Clinical Director in Women’s Health called this move a ‘game-changer’ in making reproductive healthcare more easily accessible for women.

“Instead of trying to search for women’s services or explain their needs, from today women can just pop into their local pharmacy and get the oral emergency contraceptive pill free of charge without needing to make an appointment,” she added.

Free morning after pills aren’t the only change to pharmacies’ services this week, as people who have been newly prescribed antidepressants will also be able to seek additional advice and support about their medication and healthy lifestyle changes from their local pharmacist too.

As well as over-the-counter support and treatment for minor health concerns, community pharmacy services can also supply medicines to treat common conditions.

All of these changes follow a record funding boost by the Government to pharmacies of £617 million over two years, which is supported by Community Pharmacy England.

“This is a major step forward that removes barriers of access to reproductive care that have let women down for too long,” commented Minister for Care, Stephen Kinnock.

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“Pharmacies play a central role in communities, trusted by local people and easy to access [and] that’s why it’s vital there are a wide range of services and medications available.

“These changes will make it easier for people to get the advice and medications they need, while also reducing unnecessary pressure on GPs.”

Featured Image – Rawpixel

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Salford Red Devils granted another adjournment over unpaid debts

Danny Jones Danny Jones Salford Red Devils given 2 more weeks by HMRC unpaid debts

Salford Red Devils have been given one more adjournment and yet another stay of execution, being given another two weeks to find the money to cover their unpaid debts.

The local rugby league side, which has been wrapped in all manner of struggles both on and off-pitch over the past year or so, reportedly needs to pay around £700,000 to HMRC alone and still owes roughly £5 million in total to various creditors.

Earlier this month, the Red Devils were officially relegated from the Betfred Super League, leaving Salford supporters not only even more furious but also dropped by the top tier themselves, despite having one of the best fan bases in the country.

To no surprise, regular matchgoers, neutrals and even rivals alike have expressed their continued disappointment with the club, mainly at the lack of transparency and clarity from the organisation throughout this long, drawn-out process.

Updating fans on social media, this is all the information they have communicated at this time: “Salford Red Devils can confirm that HMRC have granted the club a two-week adjournment, providing additional time in which to secure the necessary funds.

“We would like to reassure supporters that we are working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure a positive resolution. Further updates will be shared as soon as possible.”

It’s worth noting that the current owners have reiterated that they inheited around £3m in existing debt before they took over the club, but assurances over their own investments have still come to nothing; meanwhile, with many still waiting on wages, players and staff alike have now left.

Having been propped up by loan players and emergency loans, the team is now closer to a skeleton crew than it is an outfit capable of competing in the premier division.

Either way, the outrage remains and is only growing stronger. One user wrote on X: “A good approach by them if they was legit would be to engage and bring in The 1873 to bridge the communication black hole (they created).

“The problem with that is if they did it would expose them for what they are… Extortionists using the club as a vehicle.”

More alarm bells were raised recently when assistant coach and Krisnan Inu – who was also director of the company set up to take over the business – withdrew himself from a key position behind the scenes.

Eyebrows raised as key coach and director of the company set up to buy Salford Red Devils resigns

Speaking of The 1873, the outspoken supporters trust took no time at all in issuing a response of their own, adding: “The judge presiding over today’s case has adjourned by 14 days. This adjournment has dragged the uncertainty on even longer.

“Every delay makes planning for 2026 harder and keeps the club stuck in limbo when it desperately needs clarity and direction.

“The fans, the players and the future all deserve better — The 1873.”

You can see the rest of their statement in full down below, but for now, what do you make of this seemingly neverending saga, Salfordians?

Read more:

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Featured Images — Anthony Parkes (via Geograph)

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