North Manchester is set to become home to a huge new public green space within the next couple of years.
Forming part of Manchester City Council and Far East Consortium’s (FEC) ‘Northern Gateway’ masterplan – recently rebranded as ‘Victoria North’ – to regenerate and rejuvenate over 390-acres of land into new communities over the next two decades, the proposed City River Park will boast 113 acres of landscaped green space.
Set to be completed by 2024 in the north eastern area of the city, City River Park is expected to incorporate part of St Catherine’s Wood and the River Irk.
Much of this land is currently disused and has sadly become somewhat of a fly-tipping hotspot.
City River Park has been described as “a park for the people”.
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A description of the proposed plans for the park on the Victoria North website reads: “At the heart of the regeneration is the City River Park, which covers 113 acres of new and improved parkland and will become one of Manchester’s largest city centre green spaces.
“The park will vary in character providing a diverse and active new recreational corridor for the community including parks and smaller amenity spaces.
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“City River Park will enhance existing habitats and create new habitats for wildlife, and be guided by climate positive design to create results which as carbon neutral as possible. Connectivity and accessibility are also key ensuring high quality pedestrian and cycle movement within luscious green spaces for active lifestyles and wellbeing”.
The £4 billion ‘Victoria North’ project will aim to create around 15,000 homes north of Manchester Victoria train station over the next 20 years, and is made up of seven neighbourhoods.
These neighbourhoods are: Collyhurst Village – which Manchester City Council and FEC submitted first phase regeneration plans for last month – Collyhurst South, New Cross, New Town, Red Bank, Vauxhall Gardens, and Smedley Dip and Eggington Street.
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Speaking on the decision to rebrand as ‘Victoria North’, Gavin Taylor – Regional General Manager at FEC in Manchester – said: “The Northern Gateway has served us well as a name as we shaped plans for the area’s regeneration, but as we begin to bring forward development this year, it’s the right time to start creating a sense of place for what will be a significant new district in Manchester, as well as an identity that people can engage with”.
Introducing the North of England’s biggest urban regeneration project!
He continued: “When taken together, Victoria North’s seven neighbourhoods are greater than the sum of their parts and we want there to be a sense of cohesion between them.
“Each area will have its own unique characteristics, meaning we can celebrate the rich identities of existing communities that we’re passionate about preserving, alongside new ones that we’re excited to be creating.”
Sir Richard Leese – Leader of Manchester City Council – added: “We are at the beginning of an incredibly exciting phase of history for this part of Manchester and with some eagerness to see how this potential unfolds”.
You can find more information about the Victoria North project here.
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Amazon UK is now offering 50% off Prime memberships for anyone aged 18-22
Emily Sergeant
Amazon is now offering all 18-22-year-olds in the UK 50% off a Prime membership.
In what could be an absolute game-changer for all youngsters battling with the rising cost of living crisison a daily basis, anyone who is between the ages of 18 and 22 can now sign up for an Amazon Prime membership at half the price.
The new offer means young adults can enjoy the full range of Amazon Prime benefits, all without having to fork-out the usual full membership price.
You may already be aware that half-price Prime has been available to students in the UK through Prime Student since 2014, but this new offer means it’s now available to all 18-22-year-olds in the UK, regardless of whether they’re in university or not.
And it’s just in time for the annual Amazon Prime Day on Tuesday 16 July too.
For just £4.49 per month, or £47.49 per year, all 18-22-year-olds can now get free next-day delivery, exclusive savings and deals, and award-winning entertainment like Prime Video and Amazon Music.
They can also make the most of other Prime membership benefits like free food delivery options on both Deliveroo and HelloFresh, discounted tickets at ODEON cinemas, free games through Prime Gaming, and thousands of free books, magazines, and comics each month.
Alongside this, Amazon has also announced that all 18-22-year-old customers will get to benefit from some exclusive perks that are tailored especially for students and young adults, including discounts on grocery, travel, books, and fashion.
Amazon UK is now offering 50% off Prime memberships for anyone aged 18-22 / Credit: Marques Thomas (via Unsplash) | Amazon UK
“We’re always looking for ways to provide more value to our customers,” commented John Boumphrey, who is the UK Country Manager at Amazon, as the company announced the new half-price membership this week.
“Offering 18-22-year-olds 50% off Prime membership helps to make the wide range of Prime benefits even more accessible to young people.
“This is a really important time in their lives, so helping them save while enjoying great shopping and entertainment benefits will make a big difference, whether they’re going to university, starting work, or moving out of home for the first time.”
Find out more and sign up for 50% off Amazon Prime here.
Featured Image – Amazon UK
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You can get FREE e-scooter rides to Salford polling stations on General Election day
Emily Sergeant
Salford residents who are heading to the polls this Thursday can make the most of free e-scooter rides.
With the General Election literally just a few days away now, and millions of people nationwide preparing to cast their all-important vote in what could be a historic political event, anyone who lives in Salford will be able to get themselves to their assigned polling station and back, all without having to pay a single penny.
That’s because Lime, which is the Greater Manchester city’s provider of shared e-scooters, has announced that it’s offering two free 15-minute rides on its vehicles this Thursday (4 July).
You can get FREE e-scooter rides to Salford polling stations on General Election day / Credit: gov.uk | Lime UKI
The initiative is part of its ‘Lime to the Polls’ programme – which initially launched back in 2018 – being run to support the national ‘Give an X’ youth campaign run by Shape History, #iWillMovement, and My Life My Say.
It comes after it was found that, shockingly, one in three young people in England are not registered to vote, and almost half (44%) of those aged 18-34 believe their vote won’t make a difference.
The initiative is aiming to combat common barriers to voting – such as the cost of travel, or lack of car ownership, by providing riders with access to a complimentary mode of transport.
It’s part of Lime’s initiative aiming to combat common barriers to voting / Credit: gov.uk
On Election Day this Thursday, both new and existing riders in Salford will be able to redeem two free 15-minute rides in the Lime App, and all they’ll have to do is use the promotional code: UKELECTION2024.
Alice Pleasant, who is the Public Affairs Manager at Lime UKI, says access to “affordable and convenient” transport options should “never be a barrier to voting”.
“Lime is delighted to be providing voters with free transport options to get to the voting booths,” she added.
“We’re proud to play our part in enabling Lime riders to get to the polls and participate in the upcoming General Election through our Lime to the Polls programme with the ‘Give an X’ campaign.”