Manchester residents are being encouraged to provide feedback on new plans for Deansgate - which include pedestrianisation and introducing a one-way system.
Manchester residents are being encouraged to provide feedback on new plans for Deansgate – which include pedestrianising parts of the road and the introduction of a one-way system.
A section of the city centre street was closed to vehicles back in May to help with social distancing and support the economic recovery of the city after lockdown.
However, Diamond bus company objected to the plans – forcing Manchester City Council to create a makeshift route for buses to travel through.
But now the asking the public for feedback on a new experimental traffic order – which will make the space between King Street West and Blackfriars Street open exclusively to pedestrians and bikes.
Under the new proposals, King Street to Quay Street will also become one-way only in a southbound direction (with the northbound carriageway closed).
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The consultation about the permanent closure of part of Deansgate is now open until 15 January, and we want to hear your thoughts on this important project.
According to the council, the proposals will improve air quality in the area and support Greater Manchester’s commitment to become zero carbon by 2038.
The council has also argued it will make Deansgate ‘more pleasant and easier for pedestrians to get around.’
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A new bus gate will be built on Bridge Street at the junction of Gartside Street, meaning only buses would be able to drive out of the city centre across the River Irwell into Salford via this route.
The council stated: “This bus-only corridor door is designed to complement the other measures in the experimental order and to support public transport.”
Impact will be monitored for at least 12 months before a decision is made whether the changes should become permanent.
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Councillor Angeliki Stogia, Executive Member for the Environment, Planning and Transport, said: “We believe there are significant environmental and safety benefits to the closure of this section of Deansgate, which should be a safe and welcoming space for people of all ages at the heart of the city.
“We’re making these proposals in support of our vision for a greener and healthier city centre, with cleaner air, more space to walk and cycle and more reliable bus journeys in and out of the city. However, before decisions are made, it’s crucial that we get the views of the people and businesses that any closure would affect.
“If you have views on these proposals for Deansgate, I’d encourage you to share them as part of this consultation, so we can take them into account when deciding the next steps.”
Councillor Roger Jones, Executive Support Member for Transport at Salford City Council added: “When we went into lockdown in March, people commented on the cleaner air and quieter streets and many have taken to walking and cycling for both commuting and leisure.
“We believe that these measures will encourage more people to continue walking, cycling or using public transport and reaping the benefits of that. I hope that as many people as possible will have their say and comment on the future of Deansgate in this consultation.”
To have your say on the proposals, head over to the Manchester City Council website.
The consultation is open until Friday 15 January 2021.
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Salford RLFC issue statement as head coach Mike Grady departs after less than three months
Danny Jones
Salford Rugby League Football Club have issued an official statement following the departure of head coach Mike Grady, who has left the role after less than three months in the job.
It has been insisted that this is not a sacking, but rather a joint decision to terminate his contract.
Grady, who took up the mantle at the start of this project following the end of the Salford Red Devils era, was only appointed on 5 January.
He had previously been in charge of the Red Devils’ women’s side over the past couple of years, but moved over to hopefully lead this new era forward.
As you can see, the club confirmed in a statement that they and Grady have “mutually agreed to part ways due to changes in his personal circumstances.”
They go on to write: “We are forever indebted to Mike for his unwavering commitment to the club. We want to thank him for all his hard work since taking on the role as Head Coach in very challenging circumstances in December.”
Also sharing a comment from former player turned CEO, Ryan Brierley, he said: “Mike came in as Coach at a time when the club had just come through one of its toughest times with the double impact of relegation and liquidation.
“He was willing to roll up his sleeves and bring stability to the club on the pitch. The fact we were able to field a team against Oldham in January, after only three weeks, speaks volumes about his commitment and determination. To beat Hunslet at home only four weeks later was a fantastic achievement.
“Mike will always be remembered as the person [who] strived and achieved the objective of sending out the first Salford team of this new era. A team running onto the pitch, after so much hard work, gave us all something to cheer about. We also remember how well he successfully guided our women’s team to third and fourth place finishes in the Championship.”
Sharing his own farewell message, he went on to add: “I want to thank Ryan for the opportunity to represent this great club and fan base. What we created at the start of the year was pretty special, and I’m proud to have built that.
“I’m happy to leave the club in a better place than I found it and wish the club all the best for the future.” Salford RLFC have already assured that they are now recruiting for his replacement.
Price caps and standardisations to be introduced for vet care in UK following major investigation
Emily Sergeant
Reforms to the veterinary industry to help pet owners better navigate the vet services market are set to be introduced this year.
After an independent inquiry group recently found that the current system is leaving pet owners ‘in the dark’, with a lack of information to help make informed decisions leading to weak competition and high prices, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has this week concluded its investigation into veterinary services for household pets in the UK.
The final report green-lights a package of measures to make the market more competitive, easier to navigate, and more responsive to pet owners’ needs.
It outlines the final remedies and recommendations, which together, will transform the market.
Remedies and recommendations in the report range from price caps and standardisations, through to upfront cost transparency.
We’ve set out major reforms to the UK’s veterinary sector now our market investigation is complete.
Our reforms will help pet owners better navigate the vet services market and will start coming into force later this year.
— Competition & Markets Authority (@CMAgovUK) March 24, 2026
Practices will soon be required to publish a comprehensive price list for standard services – including consultations, common procedures, diagnostics, written prescriptions and cremation options – so pet owners know up-front how much certain services are expected to cost.
They’ll also have to make it clear whether they are part of a group or an independent business, and provide a written estimate in advance for any treatment expected to cost £500 or more (including aftercare costs), plus an itemised bill.
Written prescription fees are set to be capped at £21 for the first medicine, and then £12.50 for any additional medicines.
Price caps and standardisations are set to be introduced for vet care in UK / Credit: Pxhere
There’s also set to be changes to the complaints process, as practices will now be required to follow a transparent, accessible, in-house complaints process, and engage in mediation where disputes cannot be resolved.
The CMA says an ‘unprecedented’ response from both the public and the sector has helped to shape the final report.
The next step is for the Government to respond to the report formally – with Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Emma Reynolds, commenting: “We are grateful for all the work of the Competition and Markets Authority, and we will respond to the report and set out next steps for our proposed reforms in due course.
“This Government is focused on helping families save money on vet services by improving transparency and choice around pricing, so the public can make informed decisions about their pets’ care.”
The Manc -
22nd December 2020 
