News

Mancunian Way will be closed this weekend for ‘essential maintenance’… again

It's becoming a very regular occurrence this.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 7th September 2023

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.

But thorough maintenance of a major road “isn’t a quick task”, as Manchester City Council, Salford City Council, and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) have often conceded.

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”.

ADVERTISEMENT

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”.

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

ADVERTISEMENT
/ 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.

Read more:

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

News

Tributes pour in for chairman of Manchester City’s ‘Cheadle Blues’ supporters club, Tommy Muir

Danny Jones Danny Jones Tommy Muir dead tributes

Tributes are pouring in following the death of Tommy Muir, the long-standing chairman of Manchester City’s ‘Cheadle Blues’ supporters club, at the age of 71.

News of Muir’s death broke on Thursday, 21 November, with countless Man City fans learning of his tragic passing online and proceeding to pay their respects.

The Cheadle Branch boss, lifelong supporter and well-known club figure is said to have died following a period of illness, with a member of the popular Bluemoon Forum claiming he suffered from the progressive disease pulmonary fibrosis for some time.

Numerous messages of sadness, love and support have been shared on social media already.

By all accounts, Muir will be remembered as a much-loved leader of City’s Cheadle Branch, as well as a generous character with a great sense of humour.

There are countless messages from people who know him from the local area or through helping sort spare tickets for matchdays and as the familiar face around Maine Road back in the day and on the bus to the Etihad Stadium for many years.

Tommy was also one of the official supporters group members who were treated to a visit by Man City themselves, naming him honorary Life Vice President of the Official Supporters Club and bringing the Treble trophies to his doorstep back in July 2023.

He also famously face-timed with Kevin de Bruyne back in 2018, during which he said, “I want to watch this City team for 100 years.”

Muir, an ex-Royal Mail worker, also served as the landlord of The Kenilworth pub back in Cheadle, Stockport, where fans would regularly meet pre-match before heading to watch the game.

Local author and historian of Manchester sport, Gary James, wrote on Facebook: “I’ve just seen this news… Sad to hear the news that Tommy Muir has died. A wonderful person who first helped me with my research decades ago. A dedicated MCFC fan. My thoughts are with his family and friends.”

Known to so many throughout the fan base, even supporters who never met him personally have been sharing their condolences on various platforms. Those who knew him well have nothing but heartwarming memories to share.

Read more:

Fan forums like Bluemoon have been awash with people mourning Muir’s passing. One person told the story of meeting him at the age of 17 and following him when moved to The George and Dragon pub – another popular City haunt before games.

Another wrote: “I got to know Tommy when I joined the Cheadle Supporters branch. Tommy loved being branch secretary. He was absolutely dedicated to his position as branch secretary […] The branch meetings were serious affairs, getting through what had to be discussed, but in between was humour and laughter brought about by Tommy.

“Tommy had a huge sense of humour, and his one-liners were famous amongst the branch members, which would have everyone laughing throughout the meetings. The coach trips to the away games were never dull. They were always full of cheer, drinking, laughter, and City songs.”

“Keep on watching your beloved City from above. Rest in peace, Tommy.”

Losses like this within a fan base are always tough to take. Our thoughts go out to his family, friends, the Cheadle Branch and all the Blues whose lives he touched. RIP Tommy Muir.

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

Featured Images – Bluemoon Forum/X

News

A look at Embassy Village as construction on Manchester’s homeless housing project begins

Danny Jones Danny Jones Embassy Village for homeless people in Manchester work started

Work has officially begun on Manchester’s long-rumoured Embassy Village, a new living quarters designed specifically to house the local homeless community.

Set to be the largest purpose-built village of its kind in the UK, the hope is to provide short to medium-term housing for up to 40 rough sleepers in the Greater Manchester area.

Planning permission for the £4 million project proposed by the Embassy Charity was handed down back in 2021 and enabling works have been gradually taking place, with the land now fully prepped for construction to begin.

Officially breaking ground on Tuesday, 19 November, developers and regeneration specialists Peel Waters shared the first images from the site as well as concept artwork for what the district will look like once completed.

The 4.5-acre brownfield site sits beneath 22 railway arches just off the Egerton Street Bridge near Castlefield and the bustling Regent Road which heads towards Salford.

Designed to house homeless and vulnerable people living in and around Manchester within individual units, Embassy Village is a joint non-profit venture by both Peel Waters and well-known property company Capital&Centric.

Contractor Vermont Group will be taking on the construction for free, with around 50 organisations offering their services pro bono, including AEW Architects, Planit and Jon Matthews Architects, who helped design the living quarters and wider communal space from the ground up.

Aiming to create a genuinely beneficial community environment, with those staying there able to access green spaces, mini-allotment plots, sports facilities; counselling services, laundry rooms, computer spaces and tonnes more, they’ve come a long way from offering tour bus beds to the homeless.

Residents will also start off on the right path towards getting back on their feet and those staying there will be required to carry out six hours of training per week in things like shopping, cooking, budgeting and other key life skills.

Speaking on the first day of proper construction, Peel Waters‘ director James Whittaker said: “Today’s launch event is an important milestone, marking years of hard work and collaboration to deliver the UK’s first purpose-built community village…”

He went on to thank all of those who have backed the plans so far, including Greater Manchester’s Mayor Andy Burnham, who has already applauded it as a “fantastic idea.”

With several local organisations either offering their help for free or contribute by donating to the project, the speed at which work can now move is increasing and it is expected that the 24 homes, as well as the central ‘village hall’ space, will be finished within the next 10 months.

The aim is for Embassy Village to be completed in its entirety by the end of 2025 and with more and more businesses being invited to help with the development along the way, the amount of resources and manpower is only looking like it will increase with approximately £1m still needed to fully bring it to life.

Read more:

Cooperating with the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity, which specialises in helping the homeless through its ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme, Embassy are now working on finding long-term funding for the village’s operational costs once it is up and running.

Another key benefactor is The Moulding Foundation, an organisation dedicated to alleviating social inequalities, who donated £3.5m to support the village’s construction.

Co-founder, Jodie Moulding, told Prolific North: “For most people, access to housing, healthcare, and education is a given – but for others, it is a privilege…

“It has taken an unbelievable amount of time, effort, and energy to get to this point, so finally breaking ground is a huge milestone for everyone involved in bringing Embassy Village to life.”

As for Embassy themselves the charity’s director, Sid Williams, added: “Special thanks go to Matt and Jodie Moulding for their financial backing and the teams at Peel Waters, Capital&Centric, the Mayor’s Charity and Manchester City Council for making this happen.”

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

Featured Images — Peel Waters (supplied)

More News

Didsbury named one of the best places to live in the UK

Boroughs

This Manchester suburb has just been named one of the UK’s ‘happiest’ places to live in 2024

News

A Greater Manchester town could be set to get a train station for the first time in 60 years

Police issue statement after remains of young baby found in Salford field

News

Police issue statement after remains of young baby found in Salford field

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches