Greater Manchester Police has announced that detectives are currently investigating the discovery of a human skull outside an abandoned hotel in Bolton.
Following a discovery by so-called urban explorers, police were called at around 12.35am on Monday 1st March to a report of a suspicious item found in the hotel’s grounds off Blackburn Road in the suburb of Egerton, and attending officers found possible human remains in the undergrowth, which forensic officers have since confirmed is a human skull.
Enquiries are now confirmed to be underway to ascertain how the skull came to be in the area.
But it has been said that investigators do not believe that this is linked to any other investigations at this stage and are keeping an open mind.
Forensic analysis is ongoing at the scene to establish the age of the skull and how long it has been there for – both of which currently remain unclear – and specialist officers are continuing to search for any further evidence, but are yet to uncover anything further.
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No arrests have been made and there is no threat to the wider public.
#INCIDENT | Detectives are investigating the discovery of a human skull outside an abandoned hotel in the #Egerton area of #Bolton in the early hours of Monday morning.
It is not understood to be linked to any investigations at this time.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) March 2, 2021
Speaking on the ongoing investigation, Detective Inspector Debbie Hurst – of GMP’s Bolton CID – said: “This was a very surprising discovery made in the early hours of Monday morning and we have been working ever since to establish the circumstances here.
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“What we do know is that the item found has been confirmed to be a human skull, but it is still unknown how old the skull is and how long it has been at the location for.
“These enquiries by specialist forensic officers are ongoing and will be determined in due course.
“By the very nature of this discovery, we do understand some concern in the community and of course the sheer intrigue that this investigation brings with it, however we are confident that there is no threat to the public and that this isn’t currently linked to any other ongoing investigations.
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“We are keen to establish the facts as soon as we can, but the work that is ongoing must be conducted thoroughly and properly before we get to that stage.
“If anyone has any information about this discovery that could aid our enquiries we ask that they make contact with police.”
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You can find more information via the Greater Manchester Police website here.
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TfGM issues safety warning and advice for travelling on public transport during extreme heat wave – including ‘get off’
Daisy Jackson
Transport for Greater Manchester has urged passengers to ‘stay safe’ when travelling as the city braces for an extreme heatwave this week.
As well as issuing some safety advice, TfGM has also warning that delays and disruption are possible across the network as temperatures climb as high as 36ºC on Wednesday and Thursday this week.
Customers are being advised to carry water with them when travelling, and to wear light clothing.
Also included in the travel advice is to ‘get off’ public transport at the next stop if you feel unwell, to seek fresh air.
It’s also advised to allow more time for your journey and to check the latest information and advice before setting off.
And most importantly, passengers are asked to look out for each other, especially those who are vulnerable.
The Bee Network may experience disruption later this week as the overhead lines that power the trams and trains are often adversely affected by high temperatures.
TfGM’s Customer and Growth Director, Fran Wilkinson, said: “Very high temperatures are forecast this week that can affect both people and the transport network.
“We will have staff out to help those who need it, and I would encourage customers to take a few simple steps to stay safe and comfortable while travelling, such as by carrying water, travelling at cooler times of the day and looking out for others.
“Due to the heat, there may be some disruption to Bee Network or local train services and I would encourage people to check for the latest information and advice before making their journey.”
TfGM advice for travelling in heatwave
Carry water and drink plenty of fluids
Avoid travelling during the hottest part of the day where possible
Wear light clothing and stay in the shade
If you feel unwell while travelling, get off at the next stop and seek fresh air
Plan your journey, check for the latest information and advice before setting off and allow extra time to make your journey
Look out for other passengers who may need help, especially those who are more vulnerable
Bee Network staff will be out across the network to help passengers, who can get the latest travel information and advice by checking the website or app.
Manchester’s ‘busiest’ road set to close for annual safety inspections this weekend
Emily Sergeant
The Mancunian Way is set to close for its annual safety inspections this weekend.
As Manchester City Council looks to ‘improve’ what is, by far, one of Manchester’s busiest and most-used roads, given the fact it is the main thoroughfare in and out of the city centre, it has been confirmed that a two-day closure of Mancunian Way is set to take place this weekend so that essential inspection works can be carried out.
With an estimated 15 million journeys taken along this road annually, the Council says it’s vital that inspections are conducted to keep traffic flowing.
Taking place over the weekend, both carriageways and their slip roads will be out of use from 6am on Saturday 27 June until 6am on Monday 29 June.
The closure will run from the Chester Road roundabout and Fairfield Street.
🚧 Mancunian Way Annual Maintenance
The Mancunian Way and its slip roads will be closed on 27–28 June for essential inspections and repairs.
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) June 22, 2026
Fully signed diversions will be in place during this time for vehicles travelling in both directions, the Council has confirmed – with diversion routes planned for Trinity Way, Great Ancoats Street, Bridgewater Viaduct, Whitworth Street West, Whitworth Street, and Fairfield Street.
Of course, this does mean that some disruption to the public is expected, with anyone travelling in and out of the city centre told to plan their journeys ahead of time, however the Council has chosen for the closures to be overnight so that any disruption is kept to a low a level as possible.
“Because of the tens of thousands of vehicles we see use the Mancunian Way every day, ensuring its proper maintenance and upkeep is essential”, commented Councillor Mandie Shilton Godwin, who is the Executive Member for Clean Air, Environment and Transport at Manchester City Council.
“There will be a level of disruption which is why we’d urge people to plan their journeys ahead and find an alternative route which avoids the closure.
“Thank you to everyone ahead of your patience as we carry out these essential works.”
The Manc -
2nd March 2021 
