Motorists are, once again, being urged to plan ahead as Mancunian Way is set to close in both directions this weekend.
Closures will be put in place so “planned maintenance” and “safety inspections” can be carried out.
As Manchester‘s busiest road, and one of the main thoroughfares in and out of the city centre, it stands to reason that, from time to time, maintenance work and annual safety inspections have to take place to Mancunian Way to make sure journeys are as seamless as possible for everyone in the future.
This is why the local authorities claim they have worked together to “identify the weekend” where it’s likely there would be “least disruption to plans”.
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🚧 The Mancunian Way is closed this weekend [9/10 Sep].
Plan your weekend: – Avoid traffic and simply park and travel by tram into the city. – Use the M60 for faster cross-city journeys – Roads will be quietest before midday 👉 https://t.co/BZwUPbfSm6pic.twitter.com/62UtIMaepU
— Transport for Greater Manchester 🚲🚶🏾♀️ (@OfficialTfGM) September 6, 2023
During this weekend’s closures, some of the works due to be carried out 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.
Traffic is set to be affected by the closures, as you’d probably expect, but TfGM has confirmed that signed diversions will be put in place to “keep you moving”.
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So, where exactly will the closures be? And for how long can you expect to be affected?
TfGM has confirmed that from 5am on Saturday 9 September until 7pm on Sunday 10 September, the Mancunian Way will be closed in both directions from the Chester Road roundabout to Fairfield Street for said “planned maintenance works and safety inspections”.
Traffic will be diverted via Chester Road, Bridgewater Viaduct, Whitworth Street West, Whitworth Street, Fairfield Street, and vice versa.
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/ Credit: TfGM
Based on data from previous closures, TfGM says the quietest time to travel will be before midday, as traffic evels will be higher from 12pm -with the busiest time likely to be between 4pm and 7pm on Saturday and 3pm and 6pm on Sunday.
Chester Road, Regent Road, Whitworth Street, Fairfield Street and the Inner Ring Road approaching the Mancunian Way are likely to be the most impacted roads.
Using the M60 and the motorway network will likely be the fastest way to get from one side of the city to the other, but if you’re already in the city centre and looking to make a journey, then you’ll want to use the northern sections of the Inner Ring Road (Trinity Way and Great Ancoats Street) to avoid being caught in congestion on the Whitworth Street diversion route.
The Metrolink network will be your best option to “avoid expected congestion”, TfGM says, while making the most of ‘park and ride’ services is also advised.
Find out more about the planned closures on the TfGM website here.
Featured Image – Ocean Outdoor
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Four rare African ducklings have been hatched at Chester Zoo for the very first time
Danny Jones
More conversation celebration down the road at Chester Zoo, as the award-winning wildlife park has welcomed four African ducklings who belong to a rare breed.
As is so often the case with the work they do all year-round, their arrival could help signal the species’ survival in the long run, whose status was sadly upgraded from vulnerable to endangered on the official IUCN Red List.
The particular type of fowl we’re referring to is the Maccao duck, a stiff-tailed bird that typically belongs to the fresh and brackish inland waters of Eastern and Southern Africa.
Medium-sized, chunky, with big bills and subtle striping around their heads, they’re gorgeous creatures as is, but especially so as ducklings…
If you didn’t say ‘awww’ out loud, then you’re just lying.
As the Zoo itself put it, they are “rare, fluffy and VERY cute.” Celebrating what is “a breeding breakthrough for one of Africa’s rarest ducks […] so these little guys are kind of a big deal.”
These little delightful little duckies are known for diving down to the bottom of lakes and riverbeds to forage for aquatic invertebrates and plants; in fact, given the choice, they tend to prefer going underwater over flying pretty much full-stop.
As a resident species that doesn’t migrate like many other birds, they are native to nations like Namibia, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia. They’re identifiable by their dark black heads, blue bills (among the males, at least) and presence within the wetlands.
However, their estimated numbers continue to drop, and unfortunately, just 14 of their kind currently remain in Kenya and only 100 in Tanzania, with fewer than 5,000 believed to be left across the entire African continent.
Not only is this the first time the species has ever been successfully bred by bird experts at Chester Zoo, but conservationists hope ducklings will put a spotlight on the threatened species.
Their scientific name is ‘Oxyura maccoa’.Just like human babies, they prone to stuff all over their face.As far as ducklings go, these adorable little African variants are pretty special. (Credit: Supplied)
The zoo’s Head of Birds, Andrew Owen, said of their birth: “As one of just seven zoos in Europe – and 12 zoos globally – that care for Maccoa ducks, these ducklings are very special as they’re the first of their kind to ever hatch here at the zoo – making it a really historic moment for our team,
“This success gives a real boost to the future of the species, and these vital new additions will contribute to the safety-net population in zoos. These birds are facing rapid decline in the wild, so every hatchling really does count.
“To see them now out on the water inside our new Heart of Africa habitat, which is dedicated to helping Africa’s most threatened species thrive, makes this milestone even more special.”
Nothing short of brilliant news, we’re sure you’ll agree; better still, in addition to the crucially charitable and conversation-based tourist attraction being named one of England’s most popular destinations once again, but these are the only rare birds welcome by the zookeepers this month.
Vogue’s immersive ‘Inventing the Runway’ show is coming to Manchester
Thomas Melia
A Vogue immersive show titled ‘Inventing the Runway’ is coming to Manchester, and it’s even co-created by Anna Wintour herself.
Ever fancied learning more about the fashion world? Well, now’s your chance to hear everything you need to know from global fashion leaders and lifestyle magazine Vogue.
The Anna Wintour-approved immersive experience comes alongside the announcement of Factory International‘s Winter lineup, which features another new event all about voyaging to the moon.
This Vogue-fronted experience will incorporate interviews, visual media and more to help attendees visualise fashion shows of the past, present and future.
As well as understanding how fashion shows became the pinnacle of a designer’s vision, this runway-themed display also includes looking back at iconic moments of fashion and pop culture.
‘Inventing the Runway’ by Vogue is focusing on outfits worn by models and A-listers alike, with narration from the one and only Cate Blanchett.
You can expect to see curated pieces by significant creative minds in fashion history like Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Stella McCartney, Vivienne Westwood and lots more.
Throughout the Vogue experience, as well as coming visually face to face with fashion, you will also hear a soundscape that perfectly reflects this innovative industry with a fusion of classical and pop music.
This fashion exhibition uses the same Lightroom technology behind the impressive David Hockney experience that opened back in December.
Vogue is using this show to honour anyone who has made an impact in the fashion world.The Met Gala has become a staple in everyone’s calendar year in and year out.First Northern Quarter’s Chanel show, now this… Très chic. (Credit: Wikimedia Commons/GoodFon)
Anna Wintour, Chief Content Officer, Condé Nast, and Global Editorial Director, Vogue said: “At Vogue, we’ve been lucky enough over the decades to see many incredible runway shows, which have often told the story of fashion as much as the clothes themselves.”
“This Lightroom experience is a wonderful opportunity for a lot more people to experience first-hand the thrill of watching the history of fashion unfold right in front of them.”
You can experience Vogue’s ‘Inventing the Runway’ immersive show from 18 December to 10 January when it visits Aviva Studios this winter.
Find out more information and grab your tickets HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
7th September 2023 
