Greater Manchester Police has confirmed how it is planning to tackle any “lockdown tourists” from Bolton who travel to the city or other parts of the region with the intention of flouting the rules.
The constabulary has stated that it has diverted extra personnel to Bolton to help local officers enforce the new lockdown restrictions put it place to combat the steep increase of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the town, and more police resources will also be sent to neighbouring Bury and Wigan in the event that Bolton residents travel the short distance to take advantage of more relaxed rules there.
It’s also been confirmed that senior officers in the town are meeting with council leaders and Public Health England officials every morning to assess the latest “clusters” of infections to help police decide where to focus their attentions.
It comes after latest figures revealed that Bolton currently has more than 130 positive coronavirus (COVID-19) cases per 100,000 – which is the highest proportion in the UK.
It’s believed that 75% of the town’s cases are people aged between 18-39.
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Bolton Lockdown Restrictions
All hospitality venues (restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs) are restricted to takeaway only.
Restriction of operating hours meaning all venues, including takeaways, are required to close between 10pm to 5am.
A ban on mixing outside households/support bubbles in homes, gardens and public settings.
Additional restrictions on visitors at care homes and hospitals in the borough.
Greater Manchester Police has said that a minority of residents in the town are knowingly disregarding the rules, while some act in ignorance of the rules.
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According to senior officers, most shops, restaurants and pubs of all sizes have been rigorous in sticking to the rules, and in the instances where police uncovered poor practice, matters are usually put right immediately and enforcement isn’t required.
It’s been confirmed that going forward – backed up by health and licensing officials – police officers will first try to engage with people who have breached the rules, and then enforcement action is usually taken as a last resort.
Extra patrols – whose sole task will be to respond to reports of lockdown breaches in Bolton – will also be deployed.
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Rick Jackson – Superintendent of Greater Manchester Police in Bolton – said: “It’s really clear in Bolton that the public have voiced their concern and I can say that because of the demand and reports we are getting within the community.
“People are clearly concerned about people breaching the existing measures and it’s important we give confidence back to the community that we will enforce it and protect them together with our partners.”
Chris Sykes – Assistant Chief Constable at Greater Manchester Police – added: “We understand that the news of additional restrictions is disappointing for Bolton but they are necessary to fight COVID-19 and people in the borough have a responsibility to comply to protect themselves and their loved ones.
“People in Bolton should be aware that, in response to breaches, GMP will be taking enforcement action.
“Officers will also continue to engage with people, explain the restrictions and encourage them to comply going forwards.
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“If you are in Bolton and are unsure what you can and cannot do, it is essential that you read the guidance on Bolton Council’s website.”
You can find more information via the Bolton Council website here.
News
Greater Manchester officially launches five-year climate change action plan
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester has officially begun its five-year climate change action plan, with the overarching goal of becoming a net-zero city region by 2038.
The comprehensive pledge put together over a number of years itself will see Manchester City Council and the nearby local authorities put into action a number of key measures that will help to reduce not only central carbon figures but, eventually, across the 10 boroughs in turn.
Over the last 15 years, emissions have been reduced by approximately 64%, saving an estimated 44,344 tonnes of carbon through cleaner building energy, street lighting and other electronics, as well as the increasingly green and over-growing Bee Network.
They have also insisted that it isn’t just about cutting down on greenhouse gases; the aim is to make the city region and the surrounding areas more sustainable, affordable and create a better standard of life.
Our five-year plan to tackle climate change launches today. 🌏
It details how we’ll continue to deliver dramatic reductions in the amount of carbon we emit (the biggest contributor to climate change). 🏙️
As per the summary on the Council website, in addition to creating more efficient homes, they’re hoping to provide more access to nature and good-quality green space, “public transport you can rely on”, and “better health and wellbeing for those who live, work, study and visit here.”
With a steadily recovering local and national economy (touch wood), they’re also hoping for an influx of new jobs, too.
Summarising the key bullet points leading up to the end of the decade, these are the next steps currently outlined by the Council:
Lower carbon emissions
Grow the use of renewable energy
Improve low-carbon travel in the city
Improve air quality
Grow the city’s natural environment and boost biodiversity
Improve resilience to flooding and extreme heat
Engage and involve our workforce and our city’s communities
Reduce waste and grow reuse, repair, sharing and recycling
Support a move to a more circular economy
Minimise the negative impact of events held in the city
Develop our knowledge of our indirect emissions and lower them
Create a green financing strategy and explore new funding models for the city
Influence the environmental practices of other organisations
As for emissions, the target is now to drop the present output by another 34%, which will prevent almost 43,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from being pumped into the atmosphere.
Having touched upon the continued expansion of the Bee Network infrastructure, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is also set to install multiple new travel links over the coming years, including both new tram stops and train stations – further
You can read the climate action plan in full HERE.
Manchester’s firework displays are ‘back with a bang’ as they return from 2026
Emily Sergeant
Council-organised firework displays in Manchester’s parks are set to return from next year, it has been confirmed.
You may remember that these once-popular events have not been held since 2019, as the COVID-19 pandemic initially prevented them from taking place from 2020 onwards, and then following that, they remained paused on a trial basis while the Manchester City Council sought to ‘reprioritise funding’ to support a wider range of free community events across the city.
But now, as it seems, the door was never shut on their potential return.
An ‘improved financial position’ now means that the Council is in a position to bring firework events back, while also still continuing to support other community events.
Papers setting out the Council’s financial position show that fairer funding being introduced by the Government next year will leave the Council better off than previously anticipated, he the reason firework displays have been brought back into the mix.
The Council has admitted that ‘pressures remain’ after so many years of financial cuts, but this new funding creates the opportunity to invest in the things residents have said matter the most to them.
“Manchester prides itself on free community events and we know many people have missed Bonfire night firework spectaculars,” commented Cllr Bev Craig, who is the Leader of Manchester City Council.
“That’s why we are pleased to confirm they’ll be back by popular demand in 2026.
“We know that generations of Mancunians have enjoyed Council-organised displays and that free family events are a great way to bring people together… [and] now that this Government is actually investing in Councils like ours rather than the cuts we had since 2010, we can bring back Bonfire events.”
Emily Sergeant -
10th September 2020 
