We know by now that the British public loves a naming competition, so maybe this wasn’t a big shock… but, do we have another ‘Boaty McBoatface’ on our hands then?
Well, not quite – but there are some pretty good options.
Stretford's 'Name the Square' Finalists ✍🏻🏆
The Stretford town centre team have been thrilled by all of the fantastic responses from the Stretford community over the past few weeks, and the final three entries for the 'Name the Square' competition have now been decided… pic.twitter.com/habPvCCQFC
— Stretford Town Centre (@StretfordTown) May 31, 2024
Voting will be open until Sun 16th June
Thank you everyone who submitted an entry, we can't wait to announce the winning name in the coming weeks🤗#stretford
— Stretford Town Centre (@StretfordTown) May 31, 2024
As far as public naming competitions go, the comical suggestion for the name of a new RMS ship back in 2016 – which was then given to a fleet of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) instead – will probably always lead the way as the most well-known entrant, but when Greater Manchester was given its shot to get creative, residents still came through with the quality suggestions.
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The suggestions have been whittled-down to a shortlist of three names, and the people of Stretford are now officially able to cast their vote for their favourite.
The final three finalists are:
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Hibberd Square – Named after Joan Hibberd, a beloved resident of Stretford since 1922 who is celebrated in the town for her active commitment to civic engagement, which has made a lasting impact on the Stretford community.
Lloyd Square – Inspired by Sir Anthony Joseph Lloyd, a dedicated public servant who represented Stretford as a Member of Parliament for many years, and is known for his commitment to social justice and community welfare, as well as tirelessly advocating for the residents of Stretford and significantly contributing to the area’s development and wellbeing.
Enriqueta Square – Dedicated to distinguished philanthropist and bibliophile, Enriqueta Rylands, who resided in Stretford and founded the famous John Rylands Library in Manchester city centre.
A polling station has been placed at the centre of Stretford Mall, and the community is encouraged to head on down there and vote using the tokens provided, or alternatively, people can cast their votes on Stretford town centre’s social media poll.
Vote for your favourite 'Name the Square' entry 🗳
Thankyou to everyone who voted in person at yesterday's Stretford Socials. For those who couldn't make it, you can vote via the poll below
Voting closes on Sun 16th Jun & the winning entry will be revealed on Sat 6th July 🏆
— Stretford Town Centre (@StretfordTown) June 2, 2024
The new public square will connect the newly restored King Street and Pinnington Lane.
Trafford Council says it will play “a key part in the transformation of the area”, and will also provide a “focal point” with lots of greenery, seating areas, and spaces to “meet, rest and play” and host events too.
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“The response we’ve had to this initiative demonstrates the strong sense of community that exists in Stretford, and how committed local people are to this regeneration project,” commented Cllr Liz Patel, who is the Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration at Trafford Council, as the naming shortlist was announced.
“The three finalists demonstrate the importance of history, but also of individuals within a community in Stretford, and all three are worthy winners.”
The unveiling ceremony of the new name for the public square will take place in the centre of Stretford Mall at The StretFest on Saturday 6 July.
Featured Image – STC / Bruntwood
News
Full list of road closures set to be in place for Manchester Day 2024
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Day is back for 2024 this weekend, and the full list of road closures set to be in place has been confirmed.
Now that schools are officially out across Greater Manchester, and the summer holidays are well and truly here, the hugely-popular Manchester Day is making a return once again this Saturday 27 July, and as always, it’s set to be “the day summer officially starts” in the city centre – with a massive celebration of “all things Mancunian” on the cards.
The theme of this year’s annual event is ‘Let The Games Begin’, and it’s inspired by the international summer of sport, just 2024 Olympics kicks off over in Paris.
The day will be packed full of free events and activities to get involved with.
Some city centre roads will be closed on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 July for Manchester Day.
These will include:
🛣️Deansgate 🛣️St Ann Street 🛣️St Mary’s Gate 🛣️Market Street 🛣️King Street
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) July 21, 2024
But of course, in order for the all the fun to go ahead as safely as possible, and as tends to be the case for events like these, Manchester City Council says it will need to make some temporary road closures to facilitate it.
The full list of road closures has now been confirmed by the Council, and there’s some major city centre thoroughfares set to be out of action.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Manchester Day is back for 2024 to celebrate the international summer of sport / Credit: Manchester City Council
Manchester Day 2024 – Road Closures
Saturday 27 July
From 6am to 11:59pm, Manchester City Council has confirmed that the following roads will be closed:
Deansgate (Manchester Cathedral to John Dalton Street) – access will be maintained to Marks and Spencer’s car park and Number One Deansgate.
St Ann Street (Deansgate to Cross Street)
St Mary’s Gate (Exchange Street to Deansgate)
St Mary’s Street (Southbridge Street to Deansgate)
Market Street (Exchange Street to Cross Street)
Fennel Street (Corporation Street to Cathedral Street) – access will be maintained for morning deliveries only.
Cathedral Street (Fennel Street to Exchange Square) – access will be maintained for morning deliveries only.
Cateaton Street (Exchange Square to Deansgate)
Barton Square (St Ann’s Square to St Ann Street)
King Street (Cross Street to Deansgate) – no access for deliveries.
All accessible bays, bus lanes, and taxi ranks within the closed areas will also be suspended during from 6pm on Friday 26 July to 11:59pm on Saturday 27 July.
The parking suspensions set to be in place are:
Deansgate (Manchester Cathedral to John Dalton Street)
St Ann Street – including the bays outside St Ann’s Church (Deansgate to Cross Street)
St Mary’s Gate (Exchange Street to Deansgate)
St Mary’s Street (Southbridge Street to Deansgate)
Southgate (St Mary’s Street to King Street West)
Market Street (Exchange Street to Cross Street)
Fennel Street (Corporation Street to Cathedral Street) – access will be maintained for morning deliveries only.
Cathedral Street (Fennel Street to Exchange Square) – access will be maintained for morning deliveries only.
Cateaton Street (Exchange Square to Deansgate)
Victoria Street (Cathedral Approach to Deansgate)
Todd Street (Corporation Street to Station Approach)
King Street (Spring Gardens to Southgate)
South King Street (Ridgefield to Deansgate)
Barton Square (St Ann’s Square to St Ann Street)
King Street West (Deansgate to St Mary’s Parsonage)
St James’s Square (John Dalton Street to South King Street)
Cross Street (King Street to Corporation Street)
Museum Street (Peter Street to Windmill Street)
Marsden Street (Cheapside to Brown Street)
Manchester Day 2024: Let The Games Begin! will take over the city centre on Saturday 27 July from 12pm-6pm.
Check out everything you need to know ahead of the event here.
‘Complex’ Metrolink repairs to the Rochdale via Oldham line could take weeks to complete
Emily Sergeant
Work currently underway on the Rochdale via Oldham line is expected to take several weeks to complete.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has confirmed that land movement affecting the Metrolink network near Derker has now “slowed”, and this means that detailed ground investigations and temporary repair works have been able to get underway.
In order for trams to run again on the crucial line from the city centre to the two major Greater Manchester towns, TfGM says that a small section of track has to be moved back – also known as ‘slewed’ – into its original position.
The overhead line poles also need to be repaired too, the transport operator revealed.
Rochdale line update
Land movement affecting the Metrolink network near Derker has slowed, enabling detailed ground investigations and temporary repair works to get underway.
To get trams running again, a small section of track has to be moved back into its original position… pic.twitter.com/byERjitdi1
Unfortunately though, due to the “complex” nature of these works, and despite the fact that TfGM says it’s actively looking to “accelerate” the repairs, the project is expected to take up to five weeks to complete in full.
On top of this, the detailed ground investigations will also establish whether any further work to strengthen foundations beneath the track will be needed at a later date.
TfGM has apologised for the inconvenience caused to passengers.
‘Complex’ Metrolink repairs to the Rochdale via Oldham line could take weeks to complete / Credit: TfGM
Speaking on the scale of works currently underway, and how long he expects them to continue for, Pete Sommers, who is TfGM’s Network Director for Metrolink, said: “I’m sorry for the impact this is having, and will continue to have, on people’s journeys.
“We are working to get trams running through the area again, but this remains a complex and challenging issue and it could still be a few weeks before this happens.
“We will of course keep passengers updated, and I’d encourage people to check our social media channels and website for the latest information and advice.”